About Us
Arts & Crafts
The main attraction of Kempenfest is, of course, the arts and crafts exhibitors. This year we are back to our original size with 350+ exhibitors across the entire 2km of the event. The group who organize this part of Kempenfest is the Barrie Art Club. From its origins, in 1949 the club’s mission is to make an artistic contribution to our community. And the arts and crafts portion of Kempenfest is a manifestation of that aim.
This year there are three distinct sub-categories of the Arts and Crafts at Kempenfest. Original Arts and Crafts – mostly located in Centennial Park – these must be hand-made by the artisan who is on-site curating their work. Tastes of Kempenfest is for great things for and from the kitchen – jams, preserves, fudges, chocolates and much more. These are not commercially produced products. Most of these vendors are located on the South Shore between Tiffin Launch and the Sundial. And finally The Marketplace a section for new and innovative products not sold at retail yet, distributors of art and craft (not made by them) and other Canadian Products – mostly located on the South Shore between the main stage and the Sundial.
Originally conceived by members of the Barrie Art Club and the Kiwanis Club of Barrie as the Huronia Festival of Arts and Crafts, both clubs remain involved in producing the show today. From modest beginnings, the Festival has helped Kempenfest grow into one of the largest in North America, with over 300 exhibits and visitors numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Kempenfelt Bay makes the perfect back-drop to the varied activities on offer. Artisans who have been selected by a jury made up of representatives from the Barrie Art Club, Kiwanis Club of Barrie and past vendors, display their wares in this delightful outdoor environment.
The Festival is a major fundraiser for the Barrie Art Club and Kiwanis Club of Barrie who use the funds raised to support many programs in the Barrie Community. The Barrie Art Club provides grants to Georgian College Fine Arts program as well as making contributions to Barrie Library, Simcoe County Museum, and the MacLaren Art Centre. The funds also support the Art Club’s gallery providing an opportunity for over 200 local artists to display their works which can be viewed by the public at no charge. Thus the funds raised in our community stay in our community.
Antiques & Collectables
One of the biggest attractions at Kempenfest each year is the annual antique show. Each year members of the Barrie Optimist Club host a show of antiques and collectibles at the Centennial parking lot.
“We’ve been involved since Molson Park as a food vendor,” said club member and antique show organizer, Maurice Keogh. “Back then it was corned beef from an army tent.” Around 18 years ago the club added the antique show component to Kempenfest. The Optimist Antique Show has grown over the years to attract 40 exhibitors from all over Ontario. While 30 are regulars to Kempenfest, each year brings a few new dealers.
“We don’t allow reproductions,” said Keogh. “It’s collector items – everything from jewelry to old water pumps, farm scales that have been made into coffee tables, harvest tables, blanket boxes, corner cupboards.” And there are lots of home-made toys too. The Optimist Antique Show also includes items such as old church windows that have been refurbished to incorporate mirrors, and the very collectible Pepsi, and beer signs. Once the antique show is organized members turn their attention to another Kempenfest fundraising venture – a food booth. The Optimist food booth features french-fries, ice cream, pop, and water. “You know what the biggest seller is? Water,” said Keogh.
The club’s 35 members each take four-hour shifts staffing the food booth during Kempenfest. All of the funds raised from both Kempenfest events go to support local youth. The Optimist Club was responsible for starting minor soccer in this area, a sport which has grown to encompass 3,000 children. “We started Bowl for Millions for Big Brothers,” said Keogh who called it one of the club’s largest projects.
In addition, the Optimist club supports three scout troops, junior golf programs for people who are unable to afford lessons and chess tournaments at schools.
Occasionally the club brings in a special guest speaker to talk with students. George Chuvalo, a former Canadian heavy-weight boxer, came to Barrie to speak about the dangers of using drugs.
The Event Organizers
Kempenfest is comprised of a number of local not-for-profit organizations and service clubs who join forces to create the amazing weekend you enjoy each year for the past 49 years. The weekend represents thousands of hours of volunteer planning and execution of the event. In the past 49 years, it is estimated that Kempenfest has helped raise over five million dollars for these local organizations.
The Kiwanis Club of Barrie
The Kiwanis Club of Barrie joined forces with the Barrie Art Club to create Kempenfest 49 years ago, and their work continues today. Today, the Kiwanis Club of Barrie works with the Art Club to act as the jurors for admitting artisans and crafters into the Huronia Festival of Arts and Crafts. The club also operates a food booth at Kempenfest. Funds raised at Kempenfest allow the club to continue their work and support of charitable causes.
The Barrie Art Club
The Barrie Art Club is one of the founding partners of Kempenfest, and their Huronia Festival of Arts & Crafts is for many, the heart of Kempenfest. With the funds raised by the show, the Barrie Art Club supports local artists through yearly scholarships to Georgian College, grants to the Barrie public library for purchase of art-related publications, donations to Simcoe County Museum, donations to the MacLaren Art Centre, art workshops, demonstrations, speakers and teachers and a host of free artistic learning sessions. The club also operates a volunteer-based gallery that is open to the public six days per week.
The Rotary Club of Barrie
The Rotary Club of Barrie is a long-time member of Kempenfest. Their role over the years has changed depending on the event’s needs. This year, they host the main entertainment stage and beer gardens on the South Shore. Profit from Kempenfest is used by the club to continue their work with Royal Victoria Hospital, YMCA, Food Bank, Christmas Cheer, Rotary Islands and the South Shore Centre.
The Optimist Club of Barrie
The Optimist Club of Barrie has been an active member of Kempenfest for many years. The club organizes the Optimist Antique Show featuring over 35 antique dealers. Funds raised through Kempenfest are used to support the club’s ongoing work with youth.
The Barrie Chamber of Commerce
The Barrie Chamber of Commerce sits on the Kempenfest Board of Directors to provide insight and expertise in the local economy and the Kempenfest impact on the Barrie community – estimated to be over $8,000,000 in economic benefits.
The Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus operate a food booth at Kempenfest located in Centennial Park just north of the Tiffin Launch. Profits from Kempenfest are used to continue the organization’s support of those less fortunate in our community.
