Barrie Airshow flies our skies this weekend

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds in this file image on Wed., Sept. 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Barrie is about to witness history in the making.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be an aerial centre stage of this year’s Barrie Airshow, presented by Pratt Homes.

This will be their last performance before the Snowbirds are retired.

On May 19, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced Canada will retire and replace the Snowbirds’ long-serving CT-114 Tutor jets, marking a turning point for one of the country’s most beloved symbols.

To that end, roads, buses, parks and shops around Barrie are going to be busy and crowded.

Here are some hints and tips to help keep you grounded during the Airshow:

Airshow Performances

Performances depend on real-time conditions such as weather, safety requirements, and aircraft readiness.

Short operational pauses are a normal part of the show, and exact timing and the order of acts may change without notice. A detailed performance schedule will not be published in advance.

As early as tomorrow, we can expect to see and hear airshow performers conducting practice flights between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. as part of event preparation.

Viewing & Tuning In

Recommended viewing areas for the Airshow around the waterfront include Heritage Park, Centennial Park, Will Dwyer Park, Southshore Park, Allandale Station Park, Minet’s Point Park, or any of the small parks along the north and south shores of Kempenfelt Bay.

Tune in to 87.9 FM from the waterfront to follow along with show commentary and safety messages.

Viewing from the Water & Access Restrictions

For the safety of the public and airshow performers, a safety line is in place from Brentwood Marine to Johnson’s Beach Park. Water access and water-based activities are restricted in the area west of the line, including Centennial Park and Minet’s Point Park, during the following times:

• Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, 4 to 10:30 p.m.
• Sunday,  noon to 6 p.m.

Restricted activities include boating, access in and out of the marina and boat launches, swimming, Kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, etc.

The safety line will be enforced by the Barrie Police and their service partners on Lake Simcoe.

Boat Launch & Marina Access

The Tiffin Boat Launch will be closed as of Friday and will reopen at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Access to the boat launch at the City of Barrie Marina will be limited. Access in/out of the Marina by water will not be permitted during the following times:

• Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, 4 to 10:30 p.m.
• Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Launches will be busy and parking limited. To reduce congestion, boaters are asked to use nearby public launches, including Innisfil, Orillia area, Shanty Bay Oro Line 2 and Oro Line 9.

No Drone Zone

The airspace will be restricted Friday to Sunday.

Operating a drone or any radio-controlled aircraft inside a restricted air space without authorization is a serious safety concern and is strictly prohibited. You could face significant penalties, so please leave your drone at home and enjoy the show.

Airspace safety at the Barrie Airshow is enhanced with counter-drone technology from Infinit Drones.

Personal Safety

For the personal safety of all spectators, please consider the recommendations below:

• Wear ear protection, especially for children
• Wear a hat, sunglasses and apply sunscreen
• Stay hydrated

Free Airshow Shuttle

• Take the free Airshow Shuttle, easily accessed from Highway 400 and connected to Barrie Transit.
• Park and ride the designated Barrie Transit shuttle buses from the Park Place Transit Hub near 149 Live Eight Way,
• the H-Block Parking Lot at 50 Worsley Street
• From any shuttle stop along the route including the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal, along Lakeshore Drive and downtown on Bayfield Street.

The shuttle runs: Saturday, noon to 10:20 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.

Shuttles operate on Barrie Transit buses, which are accessible and can be tracked on myridebarrie.ca

Road Closures

The following road closures will be in effect:

Open Air Dunlop on Dunlop Street - Maple to Mulcaster – from 5 a.m. on Saturday to 3 a.m. on Monday

Barrie Airshow - Simcoe Street Bayfield to Dunlop – from 6 a.m. on Saturday, to 7 p.m. on Sunday,

Parking

There’s plenty of parking available within walking distance along the waterfront and throughout the downtown. Downtown parking is free on weekday evenings after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

Waterfront parking is $15/hour with a daily max of $60. Those with a digital waterfront parking permit, can park for free in designated waterfront areas.

Note: The Tiffin Boat Launch and Heritage Park West parking lots will be closed June 12 to 14 to accommodate the airshow. For more information about where to park, view the interactive municipal parking map

Inclusion Services Area

There will be an Inclusion Services Area, located near the playground at Centennial Park designed to ensure all guests feel welcome, supported and comfortable throughout the show.

This strategically designed and located space features a variety of sensory-friendly accommodations to assist in making everyone’s airshow experience the best it can be. Drop in if you need a break from the excitement.

This free event is a signature City of Barrie supported by the Canadian Forces Base Borden, the County of Simcoe, Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, and the Downtown Barrie BIA, and funded in part by the Government of Ontario.

With files by CTV NEWS