The temperatures were perfect for the first day of Winterfest 2019 and Heritage Park was crowded because of it.
One of the most popular seasonal events on the city's calendar had families out in droves Saturday for all the festivities.
This year’s theme is The Seven Clans and there is heavy involvement from the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC) in the event.
BNFC executive director Samantha Kinoshameg was excited to get downtown and see all the ice sculptures that feature animals representing the Seven Clans as she had yet to see them and the artwork created by local artists that have been encased in ice.
“I have been here at the friendship centre teaching hoop dancing to those looking to learn so I still haven’t got down to see the finished sculptures,” Kinoshameg told BarrieToday. “I hear that they going to be lit up at night as well so that will be a great time to check it out.”
Lisa Dowling and her family were at the BNFC to take part in the hoop dancing lessons after having seen the traditional dance on a popular TV show.
“We wanted to learn more about the clans and also learn how to hop dance as we saw it on an episode of Amazing Race,” said Dowling. “It actually wasn’t that difficult and our instructor was fantastic, this was definitely a very fun day so far.”
Down at the waterfront, the tents that house the ice sculptures had huge lineups and the pond at Heritage Park was crowded with families sliding on the ice.
There was a lumberjack competition full of onlookers as Canada faced off against their American counterparts.
There were also hot beverages for all to enjoy.
Tom Waver and his family grabbed hot dogs from the Scouts tent and were enjoying their introduction to Winterfest.
“We’re from Cambridge and this is our first time here,” said Waver. “We came here just for this as we had heard so much about it and so far, it has been amazing. The kids loved walking in the frozen bay.”
Winterfest continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with events planned at Heritage Park, the Barrie Native Friendship Centre and the downtown branch of the Barrie Public Library.
