NEWS RELEASE
DOWNTOWN BARRIE BIA
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The excitement is continuing to build in downtown Barrie in anticipation the upcoming kick-off to the festive season.
The Downtown Barrie BIA is excited to announce that DogHouse Orchestra will headline the tree-lighting celebration Nov. 16 right after the Barrie Chamber Santa Claus Parade and City of Barrie's fireworks.
The Noella Tree Lighting Celebration, in partnership with the Barrie Chamber Santa Claus Parade, Rotary Festival of Trees and the City of Barrie's Festive Decor and Fireworks weekend, includes live music, a festive vendor market, a festive tree lot supporting Hospice Simcoe, ornament art activities, inflatables, and more, plus a stunning fireworks show to kick off the holiday season.
Doghouse Orchestra is an eclectic Toronto-based ensemble that masterfully blends elements of gospel, jazz, funk, and country into a vibrant, genre-defying sound.
The band was born among the thriving music community on Queen Street West, where you can find them Sunday nights at The Cameron House. Their dynamic performances offer an immersive experience through improvisation and crowd participation, creating a communal atmosphere that celebrates the joy of live music.
This group weaves through musical styles, stretching creative boundaries, offering a sound that is both timeless and irresistibly modern.
The Doghouse headlines the Meridian stage at 6:30 p.m.
Prior to that, it will be James Gray ringing in the Santa Claus parade at 5 p.m.
Gray is a contemporary version of an old-school travelling folk singer. In the past decade, Gray has toured throughout Canada, Europe and Australia, seeing the world and sharing his beloved songs along the way.
A unique finger style guitarist, with a vocal that is hauntingly beautiful, Gray, often accompanied by a rather droll, humorous stage patter, immerses himself in each and every song with a soulfulness and attack that is infectious and disarming.
Gray has released three albums, the most recent in 2023 entitled New Friends That Talk Like Old Friends.
Local performances by singer songwriters Rebekah Hawker, B Knox as well as Choir Revolution will be kicking off the afternoon of live music on the Meridian stage at 3 p.m.
Return Sunday and find the perfect local gift at 10 a.m. Over 20 local artisan vendors will be set up within Meridian Place with unique gifts for that someone special.
There will be a festive tree lot with proceeds supporting Hospice Simcoe, come down and purchase your tree while taking in all the local downtown shops and restaurants.
Event highlights:
- Family activities start Saturday at 1 p.m.: Bring the family down and start celebrating and having fun.
- Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Parade: Starting at 5 p.m., the best view of the route will be in downtown Barrie.
- Live music: Headliner DogHouse Orchestra will entertain the entire family; James Gray will bring in the parade and local group Choir Revolution will carry the crowd with sing-alongs.
- Inflatables: Enjoy the festive sounds and themed inflatables.
- Festive art ornament craft stations: Get hands-on with creative activities that celebrate the festive season and place them on our magnificent winter tree.
- Local craft vendors: Browse unique offerings from local artisans.
- Fireworks: The season will start with a bang with another awesome light show over downtown Barrie
- Sunday Festive Market & Tree Lot (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.): Support local vendors, businesses and Hospice Simcoe while finding that special local gift.
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