Culture Days is a three-week festival that celebrates arts and culture across Canada. This year, Culture Days took place from September 20 to October 13, 2024. The celebrations were glorious and colourful, and provided community members with access to free and diverse artistic and cultural experiences.
The City contributed $11,775 to support local artists, non-profit organizations, and creative businesses in creating Culture Days programming. The celebrations engaged 44 artists and 18 local organizations and businesses in the coordination of activities and animated 32 different sites around Barrie.
Photo courtesy of the Downtown Barrie BIA
The City of Barrie has participated in Culture Days since its inception 15 years ago. This year, the city was host to over 55 events and activities, making it the most animated year yet. Barrie was recognized by Culture Days as one of the Top Participating Communities, ranking in the Top 10 Mid-Size Cities across Canada.
This year, Culture Days in Barrie was also award-winning. One of the City-funded activities, Nature’s Threads, won the People’s Choice Spotlight Award! Nature’s Threads was organized by Turkish-Canadian mixed media artist Ebru Winegard, and hosted by the Downtown Barrie BIA at their Culture Days Open Air Meridian event.
Photo courtesy of the Downtown Barrie BIA
Nature’s Threads provided free weaving sessions, alongside discussions and activities that promoted cultural exchange, environmental stewardship, and community building. Participants of all ages were invited to engage in this ancient art form and prompted to draw inspiration from the rich tapestry of cultures and the beauty of our local environment. The activity threaded together members of the community with art, conversation, and nature, in a relaxed drop-in format.
Every year, Culture Days in Barrie exemplifies community collaboration. Partners such as the Downtown Barrie BIA, MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie Public Library, Barrie Farmer’s Market, UPlift Black, Talk is Free Theatre, Barrie Native Friendship Centre, and The Campus Gallery at Georgian College, contribute to fulsome and varied programming. As well, community organizations and individuals contribute with their own programming.
Learn more about Culture Days in Barrie, and stay tuned for next year’s celebrations, happening from September 19 to October 12, 2025, by following @creativebarrie on socials, and subscribing to the Culture Pop e-newsletter.