Canadian rockers Loverboy and Teenage Head are booked to perform at the 49th annual Kempenfest this summer.
Also on the weekend bill for the Barrie's "signature" arts and crafts festival, which is set for Aug. 2-5 along the waterfront, are rising star Jordan John, the Cameo Blues Band. Sunday's lineup will be country music, featuring Bareback Riders and Kansas Stone, while Monday's bill will have The Martels and The Dreamboats.
New this year, children 12 and under will get into the concerts for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
"Parents need to be able to get out with their kids and have them in a fenced area where they can have fun, too," said newly installed Kempenfest general manager Louise Jackson.
More acts are expected to be announced leading up to the event.
A news conference was held Tuesday afteroon at Paul Sadlon Motors in north-end Barrie to kick off the festival and to outline several changes to this year's edition.
Visitors to this year's Kempenfest will see some new additions to the event, including an across-the-bay swim, emerging artists showcase and a youth village.
"There's a lot going this year," Jackson said. "We could not do this event with amazing people and the service clubs that count on Kempenfest as a fundraiser. I'm so grateful for everybody who believes in us."
Two people were also announced as filling high-profile positions.
Jackson, a graduate of Georgian College’s tourism management program, was announced as the festival's new general manager, a role that has evolved into a full-time, permanent position for the first time.
"I'm truly honoured to be the general manager of Kempenfest and being able to represent such as amazing city like Barrie," Jackson said. "Being born and raised in this town, and apparently I'm not that shy, so I'm a good networker and know a lot of people. I just can't believe the new people I've met coming into Kempenfest."
Jackson says she's looking forward to "taking the festival to the next level."
Impact Live and John Derlis will be the entertainment provider.
Jackson and Derlis will be replacing Tom Aikins, who has served Kempenfest for much of the past two decades as sponsorship, marketing and entertainment co-ordinator.
"I can't say enough good and what Tom has done," said Kempenfest chair Todd Tuckey.
Aikins said the festival is in good hands with Jackson at the helm.
“During our transition the past few months, I have come to see an enthusiastic big thinker, whose vision for Kempenfest is completely in line with where we have been taking the festival," he said in a release. "With someone dedicated to it full-time, I think Kempenfest will grow even more, and benefit this community even more.”
Paul Sadlon donated a fully decaled Chevy Equinox Premier for Jackson to zip around the city ahead of the festival.
"Let's do the strip!" Sadlon exclaimed before unveiling the vehicle.
Recognized as a 'Top 100 Event' by Festival and Events Ontario, Kempenfest has more than 400 exhibitors along a two-kilometre stretch of Barrie’s waterfront.
The festival will offer pre-sale tickets this year, beginning at 10 a.m. on May 30 and lasting for 24 hours.
For almost a half-century, Kempenfest has collaborated with many not-for-profit organizations and service clubs, helping to raise more than $10 million for local groups, including the Kiwanis Club of Barrie, Barrie Art Club, Rotary Club of Barrie, Optimist Club of Barrie, Knights of Columbus, and Barrie Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on the festival, visit www.kempenfest.com.
