Local Indian community, mayor, dignitaries colour up at annual ‘Holi Fest’

The Barrie Indian Association held their eighth annual ‘Holi Fest,' a celebration of bringing community together through music, dance, and colour.

The Barrie Indian Association held their eighth annual ‘Holi Fest’ Sunday afternoon, a celebration of bringing community together through music and dance, and of course, plenty of colour.

The nearly 300 in attendance danced to a DJ’s music while throwing coloured corn starch powder in each other’s faces, a sign of celebrating unity and inclusion.

“Holi is a celebration of colours, which represents the removal of differences among us. It symbolizes that we are all equal, we are all one,” said Shakir Barmare, president of the Barrie Indian Association. “It recognizes our shared humanity beyond our external appearances.”

City of Barrie officials and dignitaries were also in on the fun. Mayor Alex Nuttall, MP’s John Brassard and Doug Shipley, Police Chief Rich Johnston and CEO Paul Markle from the Barrie Chamber of Commerce were among those in attendance.

“We need to make sure, as a city, we’re always coming together trying to ensure that we feel as one, we feel connected,” said Nuttall. “And that everybody gets to realize that opportunity that they move to Barrie for.”

March also represents #ITSTARTS month in Simcoe County, an awareness campaign to take proactive steps in curbing racism and discrimination.