Nikki Cole

Relative 'ended up getting me selling opiates at the alternative school in Bracebridge,' says man who has worked to turn his life around

“I've been looking forward to this for like weeks," said one event goer

Crowds packed Barrie's waterfront early today, eager to beat the heat and the crowds as Kempenfest kicked off day two of its four‑day run along the shoreline.

'We're not a big team, but we like to play fast ... They go hard all the time,' says coach of newly formed Barrie-York U14 girls basketball team

Gallery: Families flock to Barrie's lakeshore for 54th annual Kempenfest

'About 70 per cent of our patrons are actually local and we are trying to grow that tourism side, but it really is largely a homegrown event,' says chair Paul Markle

Christine and Andrew Cinerari recently opened Silo Athletics, a 7,100-sq.-ft. indoor sports training facility in south Barrie

'This is our fifth year, and actually it was the first market we ever did,' says owner of Stayner-based Dirty Leather Handmade Leather Goods

'People come from all over the place to come to this festival. And you know what? A little rain, it's not hot. It's comfortable with a little umbrella,' says vendor

Christine and Andrew Cinerari recently opened Silo Athletics, a 7,100-sq.-ft. indoor sports training facility in south Barrie