Summer Festivals in Simcoe County You Shouldn’t Miss 2018
Simcoe County is one big party all summer long with fairs and festivals to suit everyone. If you’re looking for something fun to do this summer, look no further.
FAIRS
Barrie Fair
August 23-26
7505 10th Line, Essa
Celebrating 165 years as an agricultural fair, the Barrie Fair occurs at the edge of the city, bringing town and country together to celebrate our rich, agricultural heritage. An educational centre provides hands-on learning for young and old, as well as midway rides, performances, and competitions for cattle, horses, poultry, sheep and goats. A home crafts competition brings in arts, crafts and baking entries.
Barrie Fair
Beeton Fair
(Beeton Agricultural Society)
September 14-16
Beeton Fairgrounds at Second & Prospect Streets
The Beeton Agricultural Society is proud to present one of the oldest agricultural fall fairs in Canada. Celebrating 162 years the Beeton Fall Fair provides a great weekend of family fun with exhibits, demonstrations, competitions and rides that is sure to provide great entertainment for all ages..
www.beetonfair.com
Coldwater Fair
(Coldwater & District Agricultural Society)
September 28-30
11 Michael Anne Drive, Midland
The theme this year farming life – past, present and future.
www.coldwaterfallfair.com
Cookstown Fair
(Cookstown Agricultural Society)
Date: TBD
Barrie Fairgrounds, Essa Agriplex, 7505 10th Line, Norton
www.ontariofairs.org/fairs/fairs-in-district-5/79-cookstown-fair-cookstown-agricultural-society
Elmvale Fair
(Flos Township Agricultural Society)
14 George Street, Elmvale
Date: October 5 & 6
Thursday night starts off with a midway that runs through to Saturday. Friday there will be a school parade featuring students from local schools, an animal show, children’s tractor pull, antique tractor pull, and the ambassador contest. Saturday features the Promenade of Colour Parade at noon, a stock truck event and tractor pull and the KICX Video Dance.
www.elmvalefallfair.com
Orillia Fair
(Orillia & District Agricultural Society)
September 7-9
4500 Fairgrounds Road, Severn
www.orilliafallfair.com
Oro Fair (Oro Agricultural Society)
September 14-15
2 miles North of Hwy 11, 7th Line of Oro-Medonte & 15/16 Sideroad
166th Oro World’s Fair
www.oroworldsfair.com
Ramona Fair
(Ramona Agricultural Society)
September 14 & 15, 2018
2212 Fairgrounds Road, Off 169, Washago
Cost: $6.00 per Adult/Senior, Children 6 – 15 years $2.00, free for children under 6
Come and check out the horseshoe tournament, interactive heavy horse display heavy and light horse draw, free kids’ games and contests, ladies nail driving contest, husband calling contest, exhibit all, arts and crafts, plus lots of vendors, livestock, and delicious homemade food.
www.ramonahall.ca
MUSIC
Mariposa Folk Festival
July 6-8
Tudhope Park, Orillia
Friday Main Stage: Walk off the Earth
Saturday Main Stage: Alan Doyle, Nick Lowe & Los Straight Jackets
Sunday Main Stage: Buffy Sainte-Marie, Bahamas
www.mariposafolk.com
Collingwood Elvis Festival
July 27-29
Collingwood
- VIP host Memphis Jones
- Awesome street party & tribute artist showcase
- Memphis Jones storyteller chat
- Celebrating elvis dinner & show
- Elvis memories at Blue
- Elvis united signature show
- Tribute artist competitions
- Dance to the legends tributes to Elvis, Cher, Tom Jones, Patsy Cline, Jerry Lee lewis, Dion
- It’s all about elvis evening showcase
- Summer songs at Blue
- Music at the mountain
- Express your inner Elvis
- 9th annual gospel brunch
- OLG Canadian star challenge
www.collingwoodelvisfestival.com
Barrie Rhythm-fest
TBD
An inter-cultural, interactive festival, Rhythmfest takes place on stages at the Holly Community Park and Barrie’s Heritage Park. Performers teach you the steps to dances, wow you with exotic movements, and please your ears with music from around the world.
www.barrie.ca/Culture/Festivals/Pages/Rhythmfest.aspx
ART
Kempenfest
August 3-6, 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Packing 1.5 kilometres of the lakeshore with 260 arts and crafts booths, this is Barrie’s largest annual event, drawing visitors from across Ontario and beyond. There is an abundance of antiques, children’s rides and activities, as well as concerts.
www.kempenfest.com
Culture Days
Sept 28-30
A nation-wide event, Culture Days provides Canadians with opportunities to participate in and appreciate all forms of art and culture. Artists and cultural organizations gather to offer free, interactive, behind-the-scenes activities. Events have been registered for Meaford, Orillia, Wasaga Beach, and more to come. Visit the website to find out what is taking place near you!
https://culturedays.ca/en/about-culture-days
Barrie Film Festival
October 12-21
Fee: Varies by event
Location: Uptown Theatre, 55 Dunlop St. W, Barrie
This year-round program offers movie buffs a variety of unique cinema experiences. From their outdoor Summer Film screenings on the waterfront, to monthly theatre shoes and a dinner and movie series, there’s sure to be something for you to do all year long. The highlight is the annual 10-day showcase of award-winning, independent feature films from around the world, with an emphasis on Canadian content. Full details can be found on their website.
www.barriefilmfestival.ca
Carnegie Days
This is an annual event but there are no 2018 dates posted yet.
Celebrating art and language, The Maclaren Art Centre hosts this annual event in recognition of the legacy of originating as a 1917 Carnegie public library. Offering exhibitions, public art projects, lectures, readings, video screenings, workshops, and other public programs.
www.maclarenart.com/festivals/carnegie-days-2017
Barrie Arts & Crafts Show
November 2-4
Barrie Molson Centre, Barrie
$9.00 Adults / $7.00 Seniors (65+) / Children 12 and under with an adult FREE
This juried show ensures you have the best to choose from for your holiday gift shopping. More than $1,000 in gift certificates are also available to be won!
www.areaproductions.com/arts–crafts-shows-c1bbg
FESTIVALS
Christmas in June
June 23
Port of Orillia, Orillia
Watch boaters put on their Christmas best for a holiday on the water.
https://www.orillia.com/index.php?op=localevents
Annual Parry Sound Dragon Boat Festival
June 16
Waubuno Beach, Parry Sound
Participants at this year’s competition will be dressed in heritage finery as a salute to Canada’s 150th. This event is enhanced for spectators by games for children, music, food and vendors.
www.dragonboatfestival.org
Orillia Waterfront Festival
August 10-12
Port of Orillia
Everything boating can be seen at this in-water boat show, from kayaks to cruisers! One hundred land vendors and exhibitors offer everything water-related, including boats, fashion, and food. Don’t miss the Dock Dogs Diving contest, water ski shows, and the Cardboard Boat Race.
www.orillia.com/index.php?id=33
Annual Alliston Potato Festival
August 10-12
Located on Victoria Street, Alliston and nearby ball fields.
Started in 1972, the Potato Festival is a community celebration centred around Alliston’s role as one of Ontario’s leading potato farming area. Enjoy the parade, a variety of vendors, midway rides, a poker tournament, and attractions including a baby show, magician, interactive zoo, lazer tag, science centre, softball tournament, and free shuttle service to make it easy to see it all.
www.allistonpotatofestival.com
Carrot Fest
August 17-18
Downtown Bradford
This free event was voted one of the Top 100 Events in Ontario for the last seven years. This festival celebrates Bradford and the Holland Marsh’s role as being one of Canada’s biggest carrot-producing regions and the heart of the vegetable industry.
www.carrotfest.ca/index.html
Barrie Dragon Boat Festival
August 25
Heritage Park on the Barrie Waterfront
At 16 years and going strong, this Barrie Public Library fund-raiser pits local teams against each other for a dynamic event that brings local citizens together while raising $1.75 million for local charities to date. Enjoy the races as you visit the vendor’s village, Kidzone, and enjoy concerts and food.
www.barriedragonboatfestival.ca
Barrie Fall Fishing Festival
September 21-30th
Kempenfelt Bay
Emphasizing quality family time, this festival encourages families to drop a line and enjoy some quality time with the opportunity to catch one of 56 tagged perch in Kempenfelt Bay and win up to $750 for your catch and be part of a draw for $10,000. Entry fees benefit the health and well-being of Lake Simcoe and other community projects of the Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia.
Tickets: $40 adult/child combo, $40 adult, $20 student, $15 child up to age 12, $90 family, $20 day pass, $20 parking pass for ten days of the event.
www.bfff.ca
Promenade Days
June 30 – July 2
Downtown Barrie
Come experience the longest-running event in downtown Barrie. First held in 1974, Promenade Days has become a summer tradition for locals and tourists alike. Barrie’s largest street festival features live entertainment, midway, street performers and market, patios, food and fun.
www.downtownbarrie.ca/promenade-days/
FOOD
Barrielicious
TBD
Thirty of Barrie and surrounding area restaurants welcome you to fine dining as you discover their diverse and mouth-watering menus. Tickets range from $15-$30 per person for a three-course meal, indulging you in a culinary journey of delicacies while you meet established and aspiring chefs.
Tickets: Contact each restaurant for reservations from the website
www.barrielicious.com/index.php
Craft Beer & BBQ Festival
July 6-7, 11:00 am-10:00 pm
July 8, 11:00 am-6:00 pm
Heritage Park, Barrie
They’ve scoured the province to bring you the best of the best in craft breweries including a few from our own backyard. Come down and sample their wares and taste the best that craft beer has to offer. You won’t be disappointed!
Craft Beer tickets are available at the event. You must be at least 19 years of age and have a wristband to purchase, and redeem tickets.
www.craftbeer.downtownbarrie.ca