November 2016 - Barrie Through The Seasons
Barrie Through The Seasons - November 2016
Another great article written by the talented Penelope J. Morrow
‘It’s actually kind of sweet, all the energy on the street’;
I overheard this comment as I walked along Dunlop Street, carefully dodging
busy little boys passing time practicing their slap shots with plastic pucks and the tiniest of hockey
sticks.
My daughter and I shared a knowing smile as that comment was
bang on accurate. I wanted to shout out ‘you got that right!’
Parents carried blankets, folding chairs and umbrellas while
vendors peddled cotton candy and glow sticks. A soft rumble of predictive
weather discussion prevailed, but the crowds were here for the duration.
A pop up booth dispensed hot chocolate in exchange for donations
to the Tim Hortons Food Drive and the Rock 95 & Kool FM toy drive.
Amusements were many; a seasonal film was shown on an
inflatable screen, clowns provided face painting for the little ones, while two
majestic horses steadily plodded along Lakeshore Drive, wagon in tow, for the
delight of all ages.
Country musician Dani Strong and Barrie’s own Brett Caswell,
singer songwriters both, were tunefully engaged with the growing audience as
they provided an acoustic set of crowd pleasing Christmas season favourites.
With frozen fingers nonetheless!
Goodwill was palpable.
With the street blocked off, it was easy to meander back and
forth while admiring window displays. Many merchants participated in the themed
window decorating contest “Christmas Around the World”. Congratulations to
Barrie Olive Oil, first place winner, J’adore in second place and Angie’s
Outdoor in third.
This annual festival known as Noella kicks off with a blast
of colour and carries on until New Year’s Eve.
Tonight’s activities encompassed the magic of the Tree
lighting Ceremony in Memorial Square, a traditional Santa Claus Parade hosted
by the Chamber of Commerce, the enchanting Rotary Club of Barrie Festival of
Trees and the fireworks finale from the City of Barrie.
We were well positioned for parade viewing, having secured a
patch of sidewalk for myself while photographer daughter wandered to aim for
best shots. In a flash the town crier raced past, the skies opened up and down
came the rain.
We watched the passing of penguins, nativity scenes,
tropical paradise, trucks and Jeeps, Boy Scouts, bagpipes with marching band, steel
drums and horseback riders, all the while, the rain dripped down.
Base Borden brought the heavy equipment festooned with
lights, the Barrie Police presented some of their finest as did the firefighters.
Some snowmen were dripping, the Grinch looked a tad greener
than usual, but aside from a few soggy smiles and shivers from the youngest of
float riders, the parade kept us all captivated.
Great fortitude and enthusiasm was shown while waiting for
Santa to arrive!
Then the magical moment happened; with reindeer prancing,
the man in the red suit cheerfully waving while shouting out ‘Barrie is such a
wonderful city to come to’.
Santa got that right!
Santa got that right!
Downtown Barrie is a fabulous place, a community brimming
with ‘sweet energy’.
My thanks to Cyndi Taylor at Canvas & Cabernet for
welcoming us to take a place at the window seat and thaw frozen fingers round a
steaming hot toddy, a great antidote after hours in the pouring rain. I suspect
the downtown Barrie merchants are on Santa’s nice list!
There is more to explore on the Noella menu,
check it out! http://noella.downtownbarrie.ca/
There is only one more month on the 2016 calendar, December
fast approaches.
Erin Corcoran; Re/Max Chay Realty Inc. Sales Representative
and enthusiastic owner operator of Barrie’s Simcoe County Shop Local and I hope
you have been enjoying our collaboration of “Barrie through the Seasons”.
Next month I will look back over the past year with
interviews and photographs to explore what supporting local means to others in
our community.
Please join me.
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