Barrie Public Library staff have announced the cancellation of the annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival for the second year in a row due to COVID-19.
“Health and safety remain our top priority,” says Christopher Vanderkruys, the Library’s Director of Business and Development. “This is a large-scale event that relies heavily on in-person participation, so it will have to wait for a time where there is less risk on the wellbeing of our community. We look forward to the day everyone can come back to paddle in unison.”
The Barrie Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place on the fourth Saturday in August, has been hosted by the Library since 2003 and is known as one of Barrie’s largest waterfront festivals. Attracting participants from throughout the province, the Festival is host to 50+ teams and has raised over $2 million for local charities, including supporting branching out initiatives at the Library.
We are grateful to have the continued support of our dedicated participants, sponsors, community partners, and volunteers. We are planning alternative ways to celebrate the Festival by naming August “Barrie Dragon Boat Festival Month” at the Library. The community is invited to get involved and is encouraged to watch for future updates through our social media accounts and website.