The 2019 Troubadour Festival was a success in the eyes and ears of fans and artists they came to see.
Meridian Place was alive with music Saturday as musicians performed for their sitting audience and those just passing by.
Ruth Canfield, who came from St. Catharines with her daughter, was just stopping in for lunch when they heard music.
“We were on our way to a cottage, but got hungry and I hadn’t been to downtown Barrie for a while,” said Canfield. “It has changed so much, but for the better.
"We’re staying for a little while longer to see more bands at this event," she added. "It is such a fun idea.”
While bands played, there was food on sale as well as beer in a designated area.
Some people came to downtown specifically for the festival, which was continuing in different venues after the free show at the Meridian Place stage.
Barrie resident Jessica McConnell, who got a weekend pass for the event with some friends, said she not only knew who her favourite was, but that she wasn’t going home early.
“I’ve seen a lot of the bands so far. I was also here (Friday) night and I thought HarpAcash and Danny Boy were phenomenal with a really great sound,” said McConnell. “The event as a whole is an awesome concept. We’ll be going to some bars to see more bands as the night goes on.”
One of the more unique venues for the festival was Heritage Estates Winery and Cidery on Penetanguishine Road. After parking in the field beside the vineyard, the crowd walked down the scenic hill toward the music tent.
The headliner for that show was the Cowboy Junkies, where Canadian country singer Andrew Hyatt also delighted the crowd before talking to BarrieToday.
“This is absolutely amazing,” said Hyatt. “This location is stunning and the crowd is into it, but so relaxed at the same time.
“I’ve played a lot of shows in Toronto and that can be the arms crossed, blank-stare capital of Canada," he added. "You still have some people singing, it is just their nature at times.
"But here, folks are laid back in their chair, bobbing away and singing along, it was very chill.”
