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Downtown Barrie BIA Contributes $5,000 to RVH Foundation Following Return of Barrie Ribfest
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Contribution from Downtown Barrie Ribfest supports RVH Foundation’s Keep Life Wild Campaign and the future of health care in the community
BARRIE, ON – The Downtown Barrie BIA is proud to contribute $5,000 to RVH Foundation in support of the Keep Life Wild Campaign, turning the return of a favourite downtown summer tradition into meaningful support for health care in the Barrie community.
The contribution comes from the return of Downtown Barrie Ribfest, which brought the long-running community event back to Barrie’s downtown waterfront at Heritage Park this summer. From the outset, giving back was part of the event, with a portion of festival proceeds committed to supporting RVH.
For the Downtown Barrie BIA Board, the $5,000 contribution reflects the important connection between a strong downtown and the health and well-being of the wider community.
Ribfest Gives Back to RVH
The return of Downtown Barrie Ribfest brought together food, live entertainment and community programming along the shores of Kempenfelt Bay. The event also created an opportunity to use a popular summer gathering to support an organization that plays an essential role in the lives of residents throughout Barrie and the surrounding region.
The Downtown Barrie BIA worked with the Ontario Festival Group to bring Ribfest back to Heritage Park, with a commitment that a portion of the proceeds would support RVH.
That commitment is now being fulfilled with a $5,000 contribution to RVH Foundation’s Keep Life Wild Campaign.
“A healthy and vibrant downtown is part of a healthy and vibrant community, and having strong health care close to home is pivotal to making Barrie a complete community,” said Steve Ricalis, Chair of the Downtown Barrie BIA Board. “We’re pleased that the return of Ribfest gave our community another reason to gather downtown while also creating an opportunity to give back and support the important work of RVH.”
Supporting Community Health
Community events play an important role in bringing people together, supporting local businesses and creating shared experiences in Downtown Barrie. For the BIA, they can also provide an opportunity to contribute to organizations serving the community beyond the event itself.
“Ribfest gives people another great reason to come downtown, enjoy the waterfront and have some fun together,” says Mary-Anne Frith, Chair, Keep Life Wild Campaign. “Knowing that a favourite summer event is also helping RVH advance care for our growing region makes it even more special. We’re so grateful to the Downtown Barrie BIA for including RVH in Ribfest’s return.”
The $5,000 contribution to RVH Foundation carries that community impact forward and reinforces the Downtown Barrie BIA’s commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the community it serves.
Visit www.downtownbarrie.ca and follow @downtownbarrie. for more information.
Visit RVH Foundation, Keep Life Wild Campaign. https://www.rvhkeeplifewild.ca/
