There is something magical about a ferris wheel, especially at night. With strands of twinkling bulbs wrapped around the slow moving circular structure, to the mirrored glow of our waterfront skyline, viewing Barrie from the top of the midway was the highlight of the 12th Annual Waterfront Festival for me.
When buds burst, petals form and then blanket the sidewalks; downtown pedestrians know festival season is soon to follow.
One of the perks to living here is the wrap around access of downtown to the waterfront; Kempenfelt Bay is the perfect backdrop, scenery painters are not required, nature does it for us!
The weather was blistering hot, but this family friendly event brought crowds, hopefully slathered in sunscreen. The midway is always a draw for the littles, from the swirling, twirling lights flashing noisy rides to the try your luck and win a prize. During the day, even melting, fun was found.
Music was an all-day into the evening event, cover bands and sounds appealed to all, watching children cartwheel and couples dance, I think there was a touch of spring fever in the air!
Food trucks rolled up for the weekend offering a variety of tastes, some typical fair flavours, the ever popular pogos, frankly I never understood the hotdog on a stick concept but kids seem to like this battered bunless version, to Greek souvlaki with a side of tzatziki.
The weather wasn’t the only thing that generated heat that weekend as bright red and shiny chrome smokin’ hot roadsters caught my eye. In particular side by side a 55 Ford Crown Victoria and a 57 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket 88 Holiday Coupe were drawing some attention. In contrast to the bright blue of Kempenfelt Bay these stunners stood positioned and polished to perfection.
Can you imagine cruising along Lakeshore Drive in one of those beauties back in the day?
I hope the pedestrian traffic traversed Dunlop Street to visit our local merchants to shop and support local; as the festival may bring you downtown but it is the people of the downtown community, the businesses, stores and restaurants in the heart of the city that will bring you back!
In our ongoing collaboration in support of local; Erin Corcoran Re/Max Chay Reality Inc. Sales Representative and enthusiastic owner operator of Barrie’s Simcoe County Shop Local and I are pleased to share our finds with you as we continue to bring you Barrie Through the Seasons.
As the weather warms up, the calendar fills up!
There is an abundance of great activities in Barrie for all ages and stages; we will keep you posted over the summer months with both a monthly listing of what to watch for, including links to great website resources and a review of the events I explore.
I will be attending Curb Appeal in June, bookmark your browser to check my review!
