Kempenfest is all about celebrating just about everything the arts scene has to offer.
As many as 200,000 people could take in this year’s Kempenfest and all it has to offer – from music to hundreds of vendors. It’s an event the Walker family say they never miss.
“It's great to be with the kids and look at all the crafts to get new ideas,” says St. Catherine’s resident Cathy Walker.
Buffalo resident George Spinaris needs some idea – as to what his wife bought today.
“We came in from Buffalo and I have no idea what we have,” Spinaris says. “All I know is I have my credit card and chequebook and my missus decided to buy some stuff.”
With 380 vendors, there's plenty of stuff but it has to be original, says artisan Alicia Wishart.
“I've been coming here for six years and it's important to have new stuff to entice people every year,” she says. “This year I have magnets, a new book and some smaller, more affordable prints.”
From smaller prints to smaller pigs, first time artisan Jessy Thomas says her piggy planters are recycled art.
“It's a propane cylinder and the rest of the parts are recycled metal – box springs, mattresses, old TV antenna pieces and old water pipe,” she says.
This is Sara Tado's first time at Kempenfest.
Sara's an exchange student from Spain and says Kempenfest reminds her of similar town festivals back home where everyone has a good time, and what's a good time without “good food?”
Kempenfest continues along Barrie’s waterfront tomorrow.
