Kempenfest 2020 will be looking to be the biggest ever as the festival celebrates a half-century as the premier event by the bay.
Taking place during the Canada Day long weekend, Kempenfest, which typically sees some 200,000 people descend upon the stretch between Centennial Beach and the Southshore Centre, was recently named one of the top 100 festivals in Ontario.
The four-day event has seen changes over the years on the ground, but one of the newest is behind the scenes.
Of the many volunteers who lend a hand to Kempenfest, the new general manager says she's ready for a second year in her new role.
Louise Jackson became Kempenfest general manager in April 2019 and, in doing so, became its first full-time employee.
“I was employee number 001,” she told BarrieToday. “It is a great honour to be working on this event and looking for new ways to enhance it.”
Jackson was born and raised in Barrie and attended Georgian College to study tourism. She has a background in staging events, but admits the summer festival is the biggest of her career.
“Kempenfest is Barrie’s signature event and, with all due respect to other amazing events in the city, there really is nothing bigger,” she said.
Jackson was also recently named as a director to Festival Events Ontario, not only representing the Barrie area, but also helping to drive the direction of the organization.
The debate over whether Kempenfest is a crafts event or a live music and entertainment hotspot is not up for debate for Jackson, who believes the entire festival is the attraction.
“I remember picking up knickknacks and items for my home at Kempenfest every year,” she said. “The hundreds of craft vendors are fantastic to wander through.
"That said, there is nothing like hitting the main stage for some music by the lake," Jackson added. "The festival, as a whole, is the experience.”
Jackson points out, for those who don’t know, that Kempenfest is not a city-run event and is strictly not-for-profit. She credits the battalion of volunteers and vendors who have been the backbone to keep the festival running for 50 years.
“This really is a community event and it has taken the many vendors, some who have been here for 30 years, to join with the many local organizations,” she said. “The Rotary beer gardens, the Barrie Art Club and their many art tents, and the Kiwanis are just a few of the great supporters.
“I didn’t know until I joined on board that the festival has raised over $10 million for local charities," Jackson added. "That is definitely an amazing stat.”
Kempenfest news and updates can be found on the website here.
