Let's Go To the Fair
by CdnJane
August.. the winding down of summer, the beginning of the fall fairs in rural Ontario... well, really rural Canada.
Toronto has the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition, aka The EX) and Barrie has, well... what else... The Barrie Fall Fair! It's mostly a rural thing... with lots of rides and games of chance (fat chance, in my opinion)... there are the animals being judged, the equestrian events, the horses pulling carriages/wagons in competion, the baking, handicrafts and flower arranging competitions.
It is a fun place to be!
City Marina Park
by mikey_e
The City Marina Park is just that - a Marina. I suspect that many of those who have boats here live in the new condos not far from the marina. Nevertheless, if you have a boat you might consider using it. I'm not sure, but it may also be possible to rent a boat here if you have your license handy. Your boat... if not, possibly your license/permit
Historical Plaque - Site of Village of Kempenfelt
by CdnJane
Just over the crest of the hill on Shanty Bay Road, heading east, is the end of the city of Barrie, and the beginning of the township of Oro. There is also this plaque telling the history of the site... the bottom of the Penetanguishene Road.
As it is a little difficult to read in the picture it says:
"The Penetanguishene Road, surveyed by Samuel Wilmot, was cut through from Kempenfelt to Georgian Bay during the War of 1812, under the supervision of "Tiger" Dunlop. Settlement along this road began in 1819. The Government reserved 300 acres here at its south end for a town. Known as the Village of Kempenfelt, it had a boat landing, log barracks, stores, tavern, brewery and brickyard.
In 1831 a petition was sent to Lieut. Gov. Sir John Colborne, asking that Kempenfelt be chosen as the County Town. But two years later, the Government purchased land at the present site of Barrie which became the County Town in 1837.
Erected by Simcoe County Historical Association 1976."
Despite spending many years in the area, and knowing a bit of the history, it took me until just recently (stopping to look at the placque & take its picture) to realise how big this Village of Kempenfelt was.
Penetanguishene Road is actually an extension of Yonge Street - after a ferry ride across Kempenfelt Bay. As stated on the plaque, the road was built during the War of 1812 to get supplies up to the British troops up on Georgian Bay without going via the Great Lakes, and risking attacks by the Americans. Penetanguishene Road is now known (after it leaves Barrie) as Highway 93 heading up through Crown Hill, Dalston, Craighurst (where there were 4, I think, inns for changing horse teams), then up to Hillsdale, Wyebridge and Wyevale and up past Midland to Penetanguishene and the Naval Establishment there.
Trekking the hilly forests.
by Faiza-Ifrah
There are many trails through the forests anywhere you set your foot. Forest trails can be well populated during the weekends.
The singlemost noticable phenomena of hiking through forests in Ontario was lack of bird life. The forests were devoid of chirruping sound of the birds and instead filled with the grinding noise Cicadas. Skunks, squirrels and hares were plentiful though. In fact, more birds were visiting our premises later in Cambridge and now in Mississauga than in the forests.
A February Day Looking Down the Bay
by CdnJane
It was a sunny weekend, and the Barrie winter carnival was going on. Snowmobiles were zipping up and down the bay. Sightseeing helicopters were flying by. People were out icefishing. Crosscountry skiiers were enjoying the day.
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First Nation Signatures
The courtyard
Collier United Church
Even more up close
