It's been more than 100 years since a member of the royal family came to Barrie, but that will change tomorrow.
Princess Anne is coming to Barrie tomorrow and then heading to CFB Borden on Wednesday.
She'll be coming to the Southshore Community Centre, along Lakeshore Drive, first. And to get ready for that royal arrival, a lot of work is being done. The rakes are out, and so are the paint brushes. Everything is being touched up today for the Princess Royal.
“We're doing some prep to sod the area,” says Rebecca James-Reid with the City of Barrie. “To put some nice greenery and flowers out, and there's also preparations going on inside for the civic reception.”
Inside tomorrow night, a private reception will be held for Princess Anne. Everything has to be perfect, right down to the flower arrangements.
“I'd like her to notice that we're going with our city colours, which is blue and gold,” says Mona Boyd with the city’s parks department. “We have a couple dozen centrepieces to do and a couple for the podium area plus two displays.”
On the other side of the city today, meanwhile, the kitchen at Georgian College is buzzing with royal excitement.
“You always strive to put out your best work but there's a little extra pressure when you know it's that type of clientele that's going to be eating something you created,” says Jon Palmer with the culinary management program.
The culinary students are whipping up everything from crab cakes to chocolates. They'll be catering for 120 people tomorrow, including Her Royal Highness.
“The students are really, really excited,” says executive chef Ignatius D’Souza. “When they realize they are cooking for royalty and for them it's something to talk about, something to say they did in school.”
Kyle Barrett is also excited about the visit.
He helped craft a piece of jewelry for Princess Anne. It took him three weeks to do, but it's finished and ready to go.
“Obviously it's an honour,” he says. “It's one of those things that someone hopes for in their career.”
The brooch will be presented to the princess tomorrow.
Just a note for any royal watchers, Princess Anne will be arriving at the Southshore Community Centre at about 3 p.m., but if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of her, your best bet is to be in place by 2:30 p.m. tomorrow. The city recommends parking down near Centennial Park, and people will be able to line the street to see her as her car pulls up to the Southshore Centre.
If you can't make it out in person to see Princess Anne in Barrie, you can watch the festivities live starting just before 3 p.m. on our website.
