Barrie, the ancestral birthplace of the butter tart, will be hosting its inaugural Butter Tart Festival this weekend.
On Saturday, July 13, organizers promise a “day of delicious indulgence and community fun,” featuring more than 75 butter tart makers, bakers, and a variety of craft and retail vendors.
The event includes award-winning bakeries from across Ontario, such as Doo Doo's, with their classic butter tarts, maple whiskey, chocolate peanut butter and maple bacon, which will “satisfy your sweet tooth.”
Presented by Gotta Luv ButterTarts, in collaboration with the Downtown Barrie Business Improvement Area (BIA), the festival aims to transform Dunlop Street East and Meridian Place into a dessert lover's paradise.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can explore a variety of booths offering local crafts, artisanal foods and merchandise, and fun-filled activities such as face painting.
There will also be live music at 7 p.m. with a performance by critically acclaimed singer songwriter Terra Lightfoot at Meridian Place.
Admission is free, “making it a perfect outing for families and friends,” according to the organizers.
Several guests will be participating in the butter tart judging, including Mayor Alex Nuttall, Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston, local community members and media celebrities.
"The Butter Tart Festival is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, celebrate our local heritage, and support a worthy cause," Nuttall says in a media release about the event.
"I look forward to joining everyone in this sweet celebration and helping to judge the best butter tarts in town.”
The event is supporting the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) Keep Life Wild Campaign, in aid of the future expansion of the hospital.
The original butter tart recipe, dating back to 1903, and originating from the RVH Auxiliary, will be available as a collector's cutout for a donation, with all proceeds going towards this “vital campaign.”
“RVH has been caring for the community for over 120 years,” says Mary-Anne Frith, chair of the campaign and vice-chair of the RVH Foundation board of directors.
“As our community continues to grow, we also need to expand so we can keep providing the exceptional care we're known for, right here where we live, work, and raise our families. We're thrilled that the Barrie Butter Tart Festival is paying tribute to RVH's history and helping us prepare for the future with this sweet fundraiser.”
