Passed out: Burl's Creek neighbours embrace Boots and Hearts

Never have so few felt so safe.

With marked and unmarked Ontario Provincial Police cruisers at each end and at least one in the middle, people who live on Oro-Medonte's Lines 7, 8 and 9 South, between Highway 11 and Ridge Road East, were well protected in the event of any nefarious behaviour associated with unruly campers and RV'ers who filed into Burl’s Creek Event Grounds on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Boots and Hearts music festival.

While nothing of note transpired, it was an opportunity for police and security staff to get the lay of the land and identify any potential areas of concern.

OPP Staff Sgt. Christina Schroeder, who was heading up police efforts on the scene, said there were “no issues and no significant events to speak of” as of mid-afternoon Wednesday.

She attributed the relative calm to the festival organizers’ decision to reinstate its policy of providing access to the grounds for campers and RV'ers a day ahead of event programming.

Schroeder said the strategy is “allowing for a slower trickle” of visitors onto the 243-hectare property, which is located halfway between Barrie and Orillia at Line 8 South.

It was in stark contrast to last year’s opening day when traffic overwhelmed police and staff.

#OrilliaOPP is reminding people travelling in the area of Hwy 11 near Lines 5 to Line 9 in Oro-Medonte Township. It's another load in day at #BootsandHearts exercise patience, or avoid area if possible ^sr pic.twitter.com/IVUZHtnEr0
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) August 8, 2024

Todd Jenereaux, executive vice-president of Burl's Creek Event Grounds, Republic Live and Boots and Hearts Limited Partnership, acknowledged last year’s opening day was not the best when he appeared before Oro-Medonte Township council last week to provide an update on this year’s event.

“We have a history of opening for camping on Wednesday, even though we don’t have any production or music until Thursday,” Jenereaux told council on July 31 . “That was to get folks situated, get vehicles in and get people set up.

“I decided last year we didn’t need that extra day. There was nothing particularly for campers and patrons to do, so I reduced that and that was a mistake on my part," he added.

As campers and RVs loaded into their assigned spaces, BarrieToday visited with neighbours of the event to see how they’re preparing for the annual onslaught of festival-goers.

“We decided to make the most of it, so we go and enjoy the weekend,” said Ashley Hubbard, who lives on Line 9 South, just down the road from one of the event’s parking entrances.

“We get a weekend pass and enjoy it. And we get to sleep at home,” she added.

Hubbard, a country music fan through and through, said she’s looking forward to seeing headliners Cody Johnson, Thomas Rhett and Jason Aldean.

She’s been living near Burl’s Creek for the past eight years and said she looks forward to Boots and Hearts.

img_20240808_083015 — Ontario Provincial Police have cruisers positioned at numerous access points off Highway 11 and Ridge Road East in Oro-Medonte Township to ensure traffic remains calm during this weekend's Boots and Hearts music festival at Burl's Creek Event Grounds. | Wayne Doyle/BarrieToday

“It’s loud, but we can’t complain,” she said. “It’s one weekend of the year. Why bother?”

That sentiment was echoed by every neighbour BarrieToday spoke with yesterday.

Eric O’Brien, who lives just up the road from Hubbard, was sitting in his garage Wednesday afternoon, enjoying a slight breeze and some shade. He was keeping an eye on the comings-and-goings in front of his house.

And he was pretty pleased with what he saw — nothing.

“Last year, they were lined up for hours,” O’Brien said. “This year, nothing. There were a few cars here this morning around 10, but not many. It’s been pretty quiet.”

Like Hubbard, O’Brien says he’s not bothered by the music. He said the bass is sometimes a little overpowering, but for the most part he’s good with it.

Over on Line 8, a highly controlled access road for the event, Madison Jemmett is prepping for the festivities. She said she’s inviting family and friends over to enjoy the concert in her front yard.

“It’s pretty nice, actually,” Jemmett said. “We all get drinking and laughing and making memories. The promoter gives us free passes and extra resident passes, so we can invite friends and they can get here without any problems.”

A resident pass allows the holder unfettered vehicle access, which is a definite advantage once the crowds arrive.

The Wilson family lives down the street from Jemmett. They employ a similar strategy on festival weekend. They’ve got three large trailers on their property — each one will house friends who come over to enjoy the weekend.

“We have a bunch of friends who enjoy going to the concert, so they come here and camp and stay and we make it a fun weekend,” said Sean Wilson. “It’s a little busier than normal around here, but it’s not too bad.”

Wilson said he prefers the music events at Burl’s Creek over what used to be there, which was the Barrie Speedway.

“The speedway was every Saturday night and they practised at least once a week,” Wilson recalled. “On race night, it was about four hours and practice was at least a couple. It was way louder than the music from Burl’s Creek, and it went on every Saturday night from May 24 to Labour Day.

“This is just one weekend.”