Boots and Hearts music festival relocating to Barrie area
Posted October 30, 2014 1:03 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Country music fans or those who are “a little bit country” take note: the music and camping festival Boots and Hearts is moving to the Barrie area.
The three-day country music event, being held Aug. 6-9, will be held at Burl’s Creek grounds in Oro-Medonte, located off Highway 11 north of Barrie and east of Orillia. The announcement was made on Tuesday.
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The festival is put on by Peterborough-based Republic Live, co-founded by Shannon McNevan who serves as the organization’s executive director. In 2013, it drew about 35,000 people.
“We always want to provide the best festival experience,” the website reads, adding that the new home “provides a bigger space.”
The event is also a big draw for campers, and organizers said the new venue will “better accommodate fans and the demand for camping.”
“Camping is at the heart of our experience and our new home provides an increased capacity,” the website reads.
For the past three years, the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville — located in the municipality of Clarington — was home to the festival, contributing millions of dollars to the local economy.
In a release, Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster said he is disappointed in the event’s relocation.
“We have worked closely with Republic Live to ensure the festival’s success and have built a great working relationship,” Foster said.
“We hope that Republic Live will consider Clarington as a destination for any future events.”
In the same release, McNevan is quoted as saying the decision to move the venue was not made easily.
“The newly renovated and expanded grounds at Burl’s Creek will give us much more room for camping and grow our on-site experiences to create the sense of community that makes Boots and Hearts unique,” McNevan said.
American country music duo Florida Georgia Line will be performing at the event, with the rest of the lineup expected to be announced on Nov. 5.
Tickets, as well as “premium experience” and hotel packages, go on sale at noon on Friday. Those with a full-event wristband can also access the general admission camping areas.
Click here for more information about the event and what event-goers need to know.
