Barrie Farmers' Market
Barrie Farmers' Market
Barrie, Ontario
Vaughan - September 6th, 2022 - On a gorgeous Saturday in mid-July, I made my way to Barrie to check out the Barrie Farmers’ Market. I know it's a bit of a drive from home, however, I absolutely LOVE Barrie and wanted to take the opportunity to explore the downtown area on a summer Saturday anyways. So this plan was great - and the actuality was even better.
When I arrived in downtown Barrie, I parked on Worsley Street then walked down to Collier Street and was so excited when I saw the street bustling with market shoppers, and a whole lot of vendors both energetic and animated. What's better? The view of the lake sparking in the sunshine was the cherry on top. Vendors at the market varied, comprising farms, bakeries, artisans, meat producers, and more. I bought gorgeous pork chops from Thor Farms!
The Barrie Farmers’ Market was born on April 24, 1846 when a grant of land was awarded to the farmers of Simcoe District (now Simcoe County). The grant, on the letterhead of the Province of Canada, awarded three and one half acres in the shape of a parallelogram roughly centered at Collier and Mulcaster streets. The grant stipulates that the land will be used for the express purpose of a Market House and for market trading. The cornerstone for the original Market Square was laid in 1846. Market Square suffered damage by fire in 1875, was rebuilt in 1877 and enlarged with a new wing. The Market Square building served a double purpose as the first floor was for the farmers’ market and the second floor was the seat of municipal government. The site is marked today by a huge archway in the stylized shape of the original market building, bridging Mulcaster Street at Collier Street.
By the 1950s, Barrie was evolving from an agricultural community to a more diversified economic base. The manufacturing sector dramatically increased in size, as did the retail sector. The Town needed room to grow and that included the downtown core. In 1952, Ontario Bill 27 came into effect. It nullified the Crown Land Grant and gave the Town of Barrie the right to do anything it wanted with the land. In exchange, the Town of Barrie took on the obligation to provide the Barrie Farmers’ Market with a building and a place of operation, which is why the Barrie Farmers’ Market is held on the premises of Barrie City Hall, both outside during the spring and summer months and inside the City Hall Rotunda through the autumn and winter. Bill 27 stipulates that if the agreement is no longer workable, that the City of Barrie must provide an acre of land and a Market House for the Barrie Farmers’ Market.
Overall, Barrie Farmers’ Market was such a great shipping and social experience - I highly recommend it! Before your visit, check out the market website for more information.