NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE PUBLIC LIBRARY
*************************
The 18th annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival is set to return this year to Heritage Park on Saturday, Aug. 20. Proudly hosted by the Barrie Public Library and presented by Tim Hortons, this marks an exciting return for the event after a two-year hiatus.
“We are so excited to see everyone back again for the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival,” says Katelyn Lees, philanthropy and resource development specialist with the Barrie Public Library. “This year’s festival will feature a perfect blend of new and returning teams which helps build the excitement. Many of them have been practicing since mid-June and will continue until the week of the festival.”
Often attracting upwards of 60 teams, the 2022 festival will be scaled back in size and follow all precautions arranged with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to ensure the community's safety.
Families are welcome to take part in the activities leading up to this year’s festival, including Tim Hortons’ Children’s Colouring Contest and Dragon Party in the Park. On festival day, spectators are invited to watch the races from the shores of Heritage Park and drop by the Barrie Public Library Discovery Area featuring fun activities and information for the entire family.
“This unique event has a domino effect of goodwill throughout the community; a full day of fun on the water, raising funds for local charities, and helping our entire community discover opportunities through the Barrie Public Library,” continued Lees. “It’s such a great opportunity to get out and enjoy our beautiful waterfront.”
Tim Hortons is the festival’s long standing presenting sponsor. “Having been presenting sponsor of the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival for more than a decade, we are excited to see the festival return on water this year,” adds Mark Hinton, Tim Hortons restaurant owner. “It’s incredible to see the funds that are raised get re-invested in our community through the many charities who benefit, including the Barrie Public Library.”
Since its 2003 inaugural year, the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival has raised over $2 million for a variety of local charities including the Barrie Public Library. Donations to the library go towards the Future Branches campaign supporting the growth of new library locations throughout the city, including the Painswick Branch in 2012 and the Holly Community Library which opens its doors this August.
To help celebrate this year’s return, Tim Hortons kicked it off with a generous donation of $1,800 to support future library locations and encourages the community to join them in donating if they are able.
To learn more about the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival or to donate to the Library’s Future Branches campaign, visit the Barrie Public Library site.
*************************
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
