Simcoe County’s biggest hockey event is going country.
Burl’s Creek Event Grounds and the Boots and Hearts Music Festival stepped up last year to provide $30,000 to Hockey Night in Barrie. It was announced Tuesday the festival would become the presenting sponsor of the event, which has been rebranded as the Boots and Hearts Barn Burner. Burl’s Creek is kicking in $50,000 for the event.
“Last year at this time, we weren’t sure we’d even be doing a game,” Alex Nuttall, MP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte, said during Tuesday’s announcement at Burl’s Creek.
The investment from Burl’s Creek means Barn Burner organizers are already halfway to their fundraising goal.
“We couldn’t ask for more,” Nuttall said.
The partnership seems natural, he said, noting the two events will not be competing with one another. Last year, Hockey Night in Barrie took place on the opening night of Boots and Hearts.
This year, the Barn Burner “is essentially going to become part of the festival,” Nuttall said.
More information about what that partnership will look like will be released over the coming months, but one thing is certain: It will look country. The hockey teams will don plaid and denim.
“We’re not just saving the game,” Nuttall said. “We’re setting the tone for future generations.”
Nuttall said he was thankful for the support of Burl’s Creek, which he witnessed last year when the MP was at the festival, enjoying the music.
“What was even cooler about that weekend was Boots and Hearts stepped up to save a charity event … from not being able to continue,” he said.
Eva Dunford also saw the partnership as a good fit.
“Hockey players are a lot like artists — always performing — except their stage is a little colder,” Dunford, co-founder of Republic Live, producer of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival, said in a statement.
“We respect their lifetime dedication and their good taste in country music. It’s no secret hockey and country music are a perfect fit. Not only do we feature an award-winning artist line-up at Boots and Hearts, but the line-up of Canadian hockey players year after year has been just as humbling to see.”
Over the past five years, Republic Live and Burl’s Creek have provided more than $750,000 to not-for-profit organizations and Simcoe County initiatives, including Hockey Night in Barrie.
The majority of the proceeds from this year’s game will benefit Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and prenatal care.
Barn Burner organizers have secured some current and former NHL players as well as musicians, but specifics aren’t being released yet.
The Barn Burner will take place Aug. 7 at the Barrie Molson Centre. Tickets will go on sale June 7.
To find out more, email [email protected] or follow Boots and Hearts Barn Burner on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
