Canada's top skating talent glide into Barrie for the annual Mariposa Octoberfest Competition
The Allandale Recreation Centre in Barrie will be bustling with activity this weekend as some of Canada's top skating talent participate in the annual Mariposa Octoberfest Competition.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The tournament, no longer officially known as Octoberfest, is spearheaded by Skate Ontario and serves as a qualifier for provincial skaters to compete at sectionals.
"For the younger skaters, it's an experiential thing, getting their feet wet in the big environments and figuring out what it’s going to be like. They will be working for a little bit longer through the season to qualify for their provincials, which is in March," said Lise Buelow, who is on the skating competition's organizing committee.
For skater Aidan Armstrong, it's all about the experience. "I just really enjoy being on the ice and competing; it’s always nice. And skating is just a big passion, and I just love being at the rink."
The tournament runs this weekend at the rec centre on Bayview Drive in the city's south end. Due to roadwork in the area, Bayview Drive is open to southbound traffic only, with access available from Little Avenue.
Day passes are available at the door for $8. The complete schedule is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Gunman at large after UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in apparent targeted attack, official says
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
2 Quebec men top BOLO program's latest Top 25 list of Canada's most wanted
Two men believed to be central figures in Quebec’s violent and ongoing drug conflict topped the Bolo Program's latest Top 25 list of Canada's Most Wanted fugitives.
Air Canada to bar carry-on bags for lowest-fare customers
Air Canada says it will bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers.
Sweden and Finland want citizens to be prepared for war. Should Canada do the same?
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches its third year, nearby Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland are preparing their citizens to survive during a military conflict. Should Canada be doing the same?
$80-million jackpot: 2 winning tickets sold in Canada
There are two winners of the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) has announced. The prize will be split between two tickets sold in Quebec and Alberta, respectively.
Dollarama buys land for Calgary warehouse, targets 2,200 Canadian stores by 2034
A new Dollarama distribution centre and a lot more of the chain's stores are headed for Canada over the next decade.
Poilievre offers two hours of House time Monday for Freeland to present fall economic statement
In absence of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister confirming a date to present a fall economic statement, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is offering to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to 'tell us how much she's lost control of the nation's finances.'
Facial recognition to board a plane: How does it work, and what are the privacy concerns?
Air Canada has launched facial recognition technology at the gate for people flying out of Vancouver International Airport - with the promise of a faster boarding process with fewer hassles.
VPD issue public warning after random sucker punch at bus stop
Vancouver police have released security video as they seek witnesses to an unprovoked assault in the downtown core.