The Sam Roberts band will headline the Barrie New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown, but it could be argued that the main attraction will hit the stage three hours earlier for the kids' show.
Legendary children’s performer and Canadian icon Fred Penner will kick off the Monday night celebration at 7 p.m. with a host of classic songs from his 40-plus years as an entertainer.
Having performed for three generations, Penner told BarrieToday that while it is interesting to him how many people still know of him and his work, his wife often reminds him of one great piece of advice.
“She tells me it is not my business what others think of me, and she is right,” Penner said. “It does blow me away sometimes, though, to see so many kids at a show with their parents, and even grandparents, with all them singing along.”
The 72-year-old Penner was a staple on television when his hit show Fred Penner’s Place was on from 1985 to 1997. The show used skits and music to entertain and educate children and provide them a place to watch something fun and wholesome.
Penner believes his popularity has continued on as parents now are looking for something for their kids to watch that they can trust.
“I think what happened was I really connected to a generation during the most crucial time of their young life, during some of the most important times of their life,” he said. “The age demographic who were watching were very interested in learning and having fun, and the whole world to them was growing and a bit confusing.
"Fred Penner’s Place was an escape of sorts and I truly feel they carried that over to their adult years and remembered it.”
With multiple successful albums and singles over his career, Penner’s latest was 2017's Hear the Music.
Collaborating with artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Terra Lightfoot and the Good Lovelies, Hear the Music won the Juno Award for the 2018 Children’s Album of the Year, capping off what Penner says was a great time making the album.
“I hadn’t done a studio album for some time and this one was just so fun to do, a real throwback on how I used to do them,” Penner said. “When we asked these young performers if they wanted to help with it, they were all so excited. That was very uplifting and made the process absolutely delightful.”
Penner said many people ask him if he's ever going to slow down, to which he explains he actually has and that he and his wife are planning a little getaway after the New Year’s Eve performance.
But the crowd on Dec. 31 should be ready to have an active, fun time, he said.
"... The folks in Barrie should be ready for what I always like to bring to the stage which is fun, interaction and singing along to the music.”
The Barrie Downtown Countdown performances start at 7 p.m. with Penner and continue on until after midnight with a lineup of artists that includes headliner The Sam Roberts Band.
Schedule of events for Dec. 31, 2018:
2-6 p.m. at Five Points Theatre (1 Dunlop St. W.) -- Warm up at the Five Points Theatre with fun and festive activities, including a New Year's resolution wall. Capture memories at the magic mirror photo booth and print your photos as a magical keepsake.
6 p.m. until midnight at Barrie City Hall (70 Collier St.) -- Activities at city hall include skating, horse-drawn wagon rides, street performers, food vendors and a bonfire warming zone. There will also be family fun featuring Clarabella the Clown, face painting, a hockey shootout, Speaking of Wildlife and Snow Valley's mini tube slide.
7 p.m. - Fred Penner
7:50 p.m. - Family countdown and fireworks
8:15 p.m. - Cousin Jack
9:15 p.m. - Skye Wallace
10:30 p.m. - The Sam Roberts Band
11:55 p.m. – New Year's Eve greetings
Midnight - Countdown to 2019 and fireworks
Getting Around and Parking
Barrie Transit service is free on New Year’s Eve from 5 p.m. until 3 a.m.
If you drive, there is free downtown parking within close walking distance, including the Collier Street Parkade.
Road closures for the event include:
· Collier Street from Owen to Mulcaster from 6 a.m. on Dec. 30 until noon on Jan. 1
· Collier Street from Mulcaster to Berczy from 3 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 2 a.m. on Jan. 1
· Mulcaster Street from Dunlop to Worsley from 3 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 2 a.m. on Jan. 1
