Barrie Butter Tarts Festival Celebrates a Sweet Tradition

Calling all butter tart lovers! Mark your calendars for the Barrie Butter Tarts Festival happening on Saturday, July 13th, 2024 from 10am to 4pm.

This free event, located in Downtown Barrie along Dunlop St. East, Meridian Place, and Dunlop St. West, promises a delightful celebration of everyone's favourite Canadian treat – the butter tart – alongside a wider selection of baked goods, sweet treats, and marketplace vendors.

A Barrie Tradition with Deep Roots

The Barrie Butter Tarts & More Festival is more than just a chance to indulge your sweet tooth. It's also a celebration of a culinary tradition with surprising local roots. Believe it or not, according to the Women's Auxiliary of the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) Cookbook, the earliest documented Canadian recipe for a butter tart filling originates right here in Barrie!

Fittingly, the event will be supporting the RVH Keep Life Wild Campaign.

A History Steeped in Sweetness

While the butter tart's exact origin remains a mystery, it's widely believed to be a descendant of the "sugar pie," a single-crust pie brought over by French colonists in the 17th century. These resourceful settlers adapted their European recipes to use readily available ingredients, resulting in a simpler, single-serving version we know and love today.

Indulge in Sweet and Savory Delights

This year's Barrie Butter Tarts & More Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Over 60 local and small business owners will be showcasing a delectable array of butter tarts in all their flavour variations, alongside an enticing selection of baked goods, sweet treats, and other tempting offerings from the marketplace vendors.

Plan Your Sweet Adventure

The organizers are keeping the full list of vendors under wraps for now, but promise to unveil them soon so you can create your ultimate shopping list. Get ready to discover new favourites and indulge in classic butter tart goodness!

Whether you're a die-hard butter tart fan or simply looking for a fun day out exploring local treats and artisanal delights, the Barrie Butter Tarts & More Festival promises a delightful summer experience. So mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate Barrie's sweet tradition!