Kempenfest is an outdoor

arts and crafts festival An arts festival is a festival that can encompass a wide range of art forms including music, dance, film, fine art, literature, poetry and isn't solely focused on visual arts. Arts festivals may feature a mixed program that include music, lite ...

Barrie Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, about north of Toronto. The city is within Simcoe County and located along the shores of Kempenfelt Bay, the western arm of Lake Simcoe. Although physically in Simcoe County, Barrie is politically i ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

. The festival occurs annually over the August long weekend and features over 300 artisans, an antique show, food demonstrations, children's activities and live entertainment. It is named after

Kempenfelt Bay Kempenfelt Bay is a long bay that leads into the Canadian city of Barrie, Ontario. It is as deep as in places, and is connected to the larger Lake Simcoe. It is known for its ice fishing and legends of Kempenfelt Kelly, a Loch Ness monster ...

and began in 1971. It was originally placed at Formosa Spring Breweries Park (later known as Molson Park) Ontario, and moved to downtown barrie in 1975. The festival includes a 2000-metre swim across Kempenfelt Bay, leaving from Centennial Beach. Since 2014, the city has offered free shuttle service around the bay. Kempenfest is organized by a committee representing eight different organizations who each play a role in executing the event. The Barrie Art Club and the Barrie Kiwanis Club form the Huronia Festival of Arts and Crafts, who jury the 350+ art and craft exhibitors into the event. The Optimist Club coordinates the Antiques section of the event. The Chamber of Commerce hosts a beer garden and entertainment stage in Centennial Park. The Barrie Rotary Club hosts the main beer gardens and main stage. The YMCA hosts the Children's Village with kids activities throughout the weekend. The Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus and Optimist Club also run food and beverage outlets at the event. These groups typically raise over $250,000 annually for their community work through their involvement in Kempenfest. Entertainment Kempenfest runs two stages at the event. The Main Stage at the Rotary Beer Garden features both daytime and evening paid shows. Past entertainers include The Stampeders, Lighthouse, April Wine, Johnny Reid, Jason Blaine, George Canyon, Sloan, The Carpet Frogs, and the Martels.

References

{{Authority control Non-profit organizations based in Barrie Tourist attractions in Simcoe County Art festivals in Canada Culture of Barrie