When summer arrives, Barrie is the city that many people in Ontario come to as a regional vacation destination. So, you can imagine that when we celebrate the proudest day in our nation, Canada Day, on July 1st, there are plenty of activities available!
But what exactly can you do in Barrie if you decide that it’s your summer vacation spot, or if you’re a local who wants to enjoy the most patriotic day of the year at home? Here’s our guide to some very special events on Canada Day in Barrie.
Before Canada Day even begins, there are plenty of activities to take part in right in the heart of the city! Downtown Barrie starts things off with the Promenade Days Event, which kicks off on June 28th and runs for a few days until July 2nd. You don’t even have to travel very far out of Barrie to start having fun; everything begins right in the middle of town, with different activities and locations on different days.
Located near the shore of Lake Simcoe, Barrie’s downtown area has been hosting Promenade Days for years, and it is the biggest and longest-running Canada Day event of its kind in Central Ontario. The streets transform for the long weekend, with music, shopping, entertainment, activities, and, of course, Canadian pride. But you don’t have to wait until Canada Day to start enjoying the fun; even after the day has passed, there’s still some time to take in the sights, sounds, and activities. It’s a great, easily accessible event with something for everyone.
Canada has a beautiful landscape, and Barrie embraces this particular Canadian characteristic without reservation. Greenstreet is an event on June 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. that covers the streets in the grass and allows everyone to wander the space. Greenstreet is a range of events and activities focused on the environment—what it is, how it is changing, and how people can influence it.
It’s a great way for kids to learn more about the environmental legacy the previous generations have left for them and how to take better care of our planet.
If you are a fan of testing yourself, enjoy a good workout, or want to do something healthy to celebrate the nation, Canada Day races in Barrie are a perfect choice. There’s something for all skill levels here, with 5K and 10K distances around the bay.
People can choose to sign up for a walk or a run with those two distances. So, even if you don’t feel like you can race to the finish, walking is fine too.
There is even a Kids Run for parents who have children with the energy to burn on a healthy athletic activity!
On the big day itself, Promenade Days will continue to have special events, and if you have children, then you need to make time between 1:00 and 9:00 p.m. in Heritage Park for the Family Fun Zone by Tim Hortons. There will be inflatables and games by from Party Tyme Treats & Amusements, face painting with Clarabella the Clown, and more!
If you want something a little different but still family oriented, all things from dances to Canadian wildlife will also be on display. For people who want to do some shopping, vendors for snacks, drinks, jewelry, furniture, and more will be selling their wares.
Barrie’s own Canada Day tradition, the cutting of the cake, begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. in Meridian Place, with local dignitaries participating.
After that, performances are set to entertain Canadians as the sun goes down. This year, Canadian artist Kalsey Kulyk will be performing, as will award-winning Canadian country music sensation Aaron Goodvin. So, there’s a good time to be had in Barrie on Canada Day!
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