JOINT NEWS RELEASE
ANDREA KHANJIN, BARRIE-INNISFIL MPP
DOUG DOWNEY, BARRIE-SPRINGWATER-ORO-MEDONTE MPP
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Barrie’s premier food festival Localicious presented by Barrielicious has successfully been selected as a grant recipient for the Reconnect Festival and Event Program.
This provincial funding has provided the popular festival with the tools they need to deliver an innovative and delicious experience, while allowing the people of Barrie and surrounding areas to reconnect safely with their communities.
“Every year I make sure to mark the Barrielicious food festival in my calendar, since it is such a simple and fun way to experience the diversity of delicious culinary experiences in our city,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil. “Our local restaurants have shown resilience and strength throughout the pandemic and keeping important festivals like this running continues to encourage the community to shop and dine locally.”
The Reconnect Festival and Event Program was created to help municipalities and organizers deliver innovative and safe experiences. The program encouraged event organizers who have adapted to new public safety requirements to apply for funding to allow for their events to continue with virtual, drive-through and other safe offerings, while creating opportunities that encourage Ontarians to reconnect with the beauty and diversity of their community in new and innovative ways.
“Like many of you, I always look forward to the Barrielicious Festival. We don’t want to lose the events that are such an integral part of our communities. These events often become part of lasting family memories. They become part of our traditions,” said local MPP Doug Downey. “That’s what the Reconnect Festival and Event Grant Program is about. The provincial government is helping ensure that these valued, local events can weather the storm and make it safely through to the other side.”
If you have not yet participated in this community event, you can do so by ordering a take-home delicious three-course dinner for only $15 to $30 from over 40 participating local restaurants. This great community initiative runs until April 25.
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