The sights, sounds and aromas of Latin culture are filling the air along Barrie’s lakeshore this long weekend. Carnival Barrie, now in its fourth year, celebrates Latin American culture in its entirety. From music to dance to food, the festival captures the essence of the Latin culture and brings it to our region. The free festival started on Saturday and continues Sunday at Will Dwyer Park with plenty of interactive activities for everyone to enjoy. Attendees can take part in a drum circle and dance classes. They can also watch live dance shows from local studios, music shows with full orchestras and a live DJ competition. Guests are invited to come hungry and indulge in cuisine from 25 food vendors, spanning 15 cultures across Latin America. One attendee tells CTV News she’s grateful for the festival as it means she doesn’t have to drive to Toronto for an event like this. Organizer and Founder of Carnival Barrie Adrian Caraballo says the festival began with family in mind. “My dad and my mum came here to give us a better opportunity. And then when my dad passed, I was left to kind of share my culture with my family,” Caraballo says. “As a token of honour, I’ve created a festival that shares all Latin culture with my community. I’m from Barrie and I wanted to make sure it was done right.” He says around 80 per cent of attendees are from the year before. “Every year it gets better and better,” Caraballo says. Carnival Barrie runs until 10 p.m. on Sunday.
