NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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Downtown Barrie is once again the place to be to ring in the New Year. This year’s free, family-friendly Downtown Countdown celebration on Dec. 31 will feature rock band Sloan as the headliner and Splash’N Boots as the children’s performer.
“I look forward to the return of the downtown Barrie NYE countdown event. This has always been such an incredible way to bring the community together,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “This event will have something for everyone; an exciting line-up of entertainment, a variety of family activities, and an impressive fireworks display. After a challenging two years, I think we are long overdue for a celebration of this calibre.”
Since 1998, the Downtown Countdown has brought thousands from near and far together to celebrate the arrival of the new year at Barrie City Hall starting at 6 p.m. The musical performances will start with the children’s performer, at 7 p.m.
In addition to the musical performances, the Downtown Countdown celebration will include skating, family activities, roaming buskers and two fireworks shows – the first at approximately 8 p.m. and the second at midnight.
Barrie Transit service will be free on New Year’s Eve starting at 5 p.m., and Route 1 and Route 8 will operate until 3 a.m.
The remainder of the musical lineup (including the feature local artist) will be announced closer to the event.
For more information about the event, visit barrie.ca/DowntownCountdown.
About Sloan:
Sloan is a Toronto-based rock band that originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The quartet possessed a rare chemistry from the first time they performed in 1991 and are credited as being the main instigator for the East Coast alternative scene. Throughout their 30-year history, these Canadian indie rock heroes have remained true to their sound that is quintessentially Sloan and have been named one of Canada’s top five bands of all-time in a CBC critics poll. Over the course of their quarter-century career, they have amassed an outstanding collection of over 250 songs, 30 singles with airplay at Canadian Rock Radio, nine Juno Award nominations, and one win for Best Alternative Album. Sloan have just recently released their newest album Steady along with lead single ‘Scratch the Surface’.
About Splash’N Boots:
Just off the heels of their second Juno Award, as well as a 2022 Canadian Folk Music Award, Splash’N Boots are bringing their nearly 20-year legacy in children’s music to new generations with a family show filled with connection, music, and heart. They have appeared in over 8.5 million homes across Canada with their number one TV show, are streamed all over the world, written and produced an episode of Sesame Street, and collaborated with Alice Cooper, Alan Doyle, The Wiggles, and more. They believe in a world where music can be enjoyed across all generations and have created a global community dedicated to making every child feel seen, heard, and loved for exactly who they are. They just released their newest album I Am Love in October.
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