Free Shuttles to Barrie’s Kempenfest

A highlight of Barrie’s summer takes over the city’s waterfront this weekend. The 47th annual Kempenfest kicks off in earnest Saturday morning with over 300 vendors, a midway, and lots of fun for the whole family. What won’t be fun is finding a parking spot. The midway takes over the North Centennial Beach lot, but a new yet-to-be-named lot has just opened on Lakeshore Drive, just south of Victoria Street. On street parking will be available along Lakeshore and surrounding routes, but if history repeats itself, those spots will fill up fast; the city recommends taking advantage of free shuttle service, running from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday to Monday. The midway opens at 5:00 Friday afternoon.

North Shuttle only travels between Bayfield Mall and the South Centennial Parking lot – there you can transfer to Waterfront/South Shuttle or start your visit there. Estimated frequency is 40 minutes.
Waterfront/South Shuttle travels between the downtown transit terminal (Mary Street across from Platform 5) and the two South Lots (Allandale & Molson Centre) with five stops along Lakeshore Drive in both directions. Hop on and off at any of these stops – each signed along the route. Estimated frequency is 20 to 30 minutes.

Click here for a list of downtown parking lots.

NO PARKING at the GO Station and historic train station in Allandale — these are private lots and cars will be ticketed.