Barrie Fest Keeps it Local

Local flavor reigned supreme during this year's Barrie Fest–the sixth of its kind–where about 24 vendors and four local bands filled Barrie Park.

A pet parade kicked off the afternoon on Saturday, with about 10 proud pet owners and their loyal companions making the march around the block before heading back to the park at 127 Garfield St.

Dog owners and festival attendees alike were greeted with food and drink, and family friendly entertainment, including two bounce houses for the children.

The Oak Park Fire Department drove one of its shiny red fire engines down Lombard Avenue, allowing children to test out the high-powered fire hose.

It was a family affair that would not have been possible without the help of Stuart Barnes-Jamieson and the rest of the Southeast Oak Park Community Organization (SEOPCO).

Telling the tale of a park once in turmoil, board member Barnes-Jamieson now smiles looking back at the work he and others put in to make Barrie Park a safe, fun place for people of all ages.

"Shortly after [my family] had moved here, they had closed this park down because they found some kind of chemical in the soil," Barnes-Jamieson said. "The Southeast Oak Park Community Organization formed at the time to address the issues of the neighbors here."

After solving the Barrie Park concern, Barnes-Jamieson and SEOPCO shifted their focus to other matters, such as keeping the community organized and an ideal place to raise a family.

And it is Barrie Fest, he said, that serves as the area's consistent community pride event.

"It brings people down to our side, to see what a neat neighborhood we have," Barnes-Jamieson said. "It shows off what resources we've got here, and it shows off the park."

Allan Flynn serves on the SEOPCO board with Barnes-Jamieson and sees the festival as an annual celebration of community togetherness.

"It brings people together," Flynn said. "People who live here, people who work here, people who build their lives, raise their kids–that's what it does. It's all about family here."

The family aspect was what sold Natalie Brewer, who brought her husband and young son to the park to take in some of the sights and learn more about the community. The family recently moved into their first house, which made her first Barrie Fest all the more special.

"[Events like Barrie Fest] foster the community spirit and bring us all together for a common purpose," she said. "It's a chance to get to know what else is going on in the neighborhood and the community."