The Barrie Public Library has cancelled the annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival for the second year in a row due to COVID-19.

“Health and safety remain as our top priority and for a large-scale event that relies heavily on in-person participation, it will have to wait for a more appropriate time where there is reduced risk on the well-being of our community” says Christopher Vanderkruys, the Library’s Director of Business and Development.

The event, which takes place the fourth Saturday in August, has been hosted by the Library since 2003 and is known as one of Barrie’s largest waterfront festivals. Attracting participants from throughout the province, the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival is host to 50+ teams and has raised over $2 million for local charities, including supporting branching out initiatives at the Barrie Public Library.

The Barrie Public Library is grateful to have the continued support of its dedicated participants, sponsors, community partners and volunteers and look forward to the day we can all come back to paddle in unison. Staff are planning alternative ways to celebrate the Festival by naming August as “Dragon Boat Festival Month” at the Library. The community is invited to get involved and is encouraged to watch for future updates through the library’s social networks and website.