Member News

Downtown Barrie to kick off summer with Open Air Dunlop on Saturday, June 19

Monday, May 31, 2021

For Immediate Release:
Monday, May 31, 2021 (Barrie, Ontario)

Downtown Barrie to kick off summer with Open Air Dunlop on Saturday, June 19

The Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) is thrilled to announce that the first Open Air Dunlop of the 2021 summer season will take place on Saturday, June 19th. Initially piloted in the fall of 2020, Open Air Dunlop closes a portion of Dunlop Street East to vehicle traffic and opens it up for pedestrian and bike traffic. Between Mulcaster Street and the Five Points intersection, the public is welcome to walk, bike, rollerblade or scoot along Dunlop Street.

“We are creating a safer and physically distanced space for the public to enjoy while they’re downtown supporting our amazing local businesses,“ says Kelly McKenna, Executive Director of the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA). “Open Air Dunlop brought tens of thousands to our downtown core over five Saturdays last year and we can’t wait to see how this year’s much longer event supports our area’s economic reopening.”

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitation stations will be provided along Dunlop Street East along with signage with reminders of recommended health and safety measures that the public are asked to follow, including physical distancing, washing hands often and wearing masks.

While downtown supporting our one-of-a-kind shops or relaxing on one of our 20+ award-winning restaurant patios, there will also be plenty of activities to enjoy including self-guided public art tours, self-guided historic walking tours and self-guided Barrie-by-Bike tours! The public is also welcome to check out the Barrie Farmers’ Market, Theatre By The Bay’s ghost tours, or to simply grab a coffee and enjoy the views of sparkling Kempenfelt Bay.

As Provincial health and safety regulations ease, Open Air Dunlop will welcome increased activation. All downtown Barrie businesses will be following mandated health and safety protocols to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Regulatory updates will be communicated.

See you downtown!

For more information about Open Air Dunlop, visit downtownbarrie.ca/openairdunlop/
For more information on Provincial health and safety regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/index.html