KEMPENFEST.
COMMUNITY THAT CONNECTS YOU.

As one of Ontario’s Top-100 Festivals and Events (as per Festivals and Events Ontario) Kempenfest is Barrie Ontario’s Signature festival event, drawing over 100,000 attendees per year.

Economically speaking, Kempenfest generates over $7,500,000 in annual Tourism Induced Economic Impact for the City of Barrie, based on three-year audience data research. From sold-out hotels, jam-packed restaurants, gas station line-ups, to packed highways, and City streets, it’s easy see the impact Kempenfest has during the Civic Long Weekend in August.

Community that connects you! Community is one of our three pillars of strength and success of Kempenfest. Aside from three part-time contractors who assist with sponsorship, marketing, entertainment, and administrative roles, Kempenfest relies on a network of volunteers who plan and execute the festival each year. From processing exhibitor applications to site layout and design. From flipping burgers to pouring beers. Over 400 volunteers fill nearly 1,000 shifts. Volunteers come from all walks of life, and primarily through one of six groups, each of which provides a volunteer to sit on the Kempenfest Board of Directors. Those groups are the Barrie Art Club, Kiwanis Club of Barrie, Rotary Club of Barrie, Knights of Columbus, Optimist Club, and Barrie Chamber of Commerce. Barrie Families Unite also provide volunteers for the Kid’s Village but do not sit on the Board.