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The Members of
Kempenfest
Kempenfest
is comprised of a number of local charities and service clubs who join forces to
create the amazing weekend you enjoy each year - for over 37 years.
Kiwanis
The Barrie Kiwanis Club joined
forces with the Barrie Art Club to create Kempenfest its very first year, and their work continues today. Today, the Barrie
Kiwanis Club works with the Art Club to act as
the jurists for admitting new artisans into the Huronia Festival of Arts and
Crafts. The Kempenfelt Bay Kiwanis Club is also a member of Kempenfest. The clubs also
operate food booths at Kempenfest, selling sausage, hot
dogs, corn on the cob and fries. Funds raised at Kempenfest allow the clubs to continue their
work and support of such charitable causes as Easter Seals, school bursaries,
hearing disabled children, Iodine Deficiency Disorder, Big Brothers, Big
Sisters, Salvation Army, Food Bank, and children's camps.
Barrie
Art Club
The Barrie Art Club is one of the founding partners of Kempenfest, and their
Huronia Festival of Arts & Crafts is for many, the heart of Kempenfest. With
the funds raised by the show, the Barrie Art Club supports local artists through
scholarships at Georgian College, purchase of art-related publications,
donations to Simcoe County Museum, art workshops, demonstrations, and a host of
free artistic learning sessions. The club also operates a volunteer-based
gallery that is open to the public.
Rotary
The Rotary Club of Barrie is a
long-time member of Kempenfest. Currently, the club hosts the main beer garden
at the Centennial Stage.
Barrie's other Rotary Clubs also participate in Kempenfest. The Huronia Rotary
Club hosts a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, and the Rotary Club of
Barrie-Kempenfelt assists with food and beverage services. Profit from Kempenfest is used by the clubs to continue their work with Royal
Victoria Hospital, YMCA, Food Bank, Christmas Cheer, Rotary Islands, and the
South Shore Centre.
YMCA
The YMCA hosts a Children's Village at Allandale
Station Park offering loads of free activities for kids. All profits from the
weekend are used to help families and children
participate in programs and activities to enhance their health and well-being.
Optimist
The Optimist Club of Barrie has been an active member of Kempenfest for many
years. The club organizes the Optimist Antique Show featuring over 40 antique
dealers. In addition, the club operates a food booth throughout the weekend.
Funds raised through Kempenfest are used to support the club's ongoing work with
youth.
Lions
The Barrie Lions Club join forces with the Lioness Club to host a food booth
and a community talent stage during Kempenfest. A partner in Kempenfest since
the beginning, the club's fundraising helps support many local charities and
sports groups, building picnic shelters, ball diamonds and more.
MacLaren
Art Centre
The MacLaren is one of the key partners in Kempenfest. The centre hosts the MacLaren Oasis - a food and beverage outlet offering an oasis to
Kempenfest visitors. Proceeds from the event are used to support the visual
arts education and exhibition program of the MacLaren Art Centre.
Knights
of Columbus
For four years now the Knights
of Columbus have been operating their famous Peameal Bacon on a Bun booth.
Locally seasoned peameal bacon is cooked on site and served piping hot with
fried onions. Profits from Kempenfest are used to continue the organization's
support of those less fortunate in our community, with the majority sent to
Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre.
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