Kingston kicks off the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier
Kingston has been talking about it and preparing for it for well over a year, and today, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, we can finally say it’s here – The 2020 Tim Hortons Brier begins today.
Anyone in the downtown core is sure to notice the Brier is upon us. From the transformed Frontenac Parking lot, which is now home to an enormous (heated!) tent and home to the famous Brier Patch, to the numerous restaurants and businesses decked out in ‘Kingston Curls 2020’ décor, downtown Kingston is home for all the action and festivities.
The 2020 Tim Hortons Brier curling events begin tonight with the Wild Card game. Throughout the Brier, Kingstonist will have Tim Cunningham and Dylan Chenier on site to let us in on all the action. Stay tuned for full coverage, beginning tonight, on the site, and by following Tim (@TheCoachTC) and Dylan (@dylanc98) on Twitter. The 2020 Tim Hortons Brier is the Men’s Canadian National Curling Competition. It is easily the best-known and most popular curling competition in the world and the the largest national curling championship. Each province and territory is represented at the Brier, along with Team Canada (Team Koe), Northern Ontario, and the Wild Card team. The 2020 Tim Hortons Brier winning team will represent Canada at the 2020 World Men’s Curling Championship in Glasgow, Scotland. A full schedule of the Canada’s top curlers facing off is available here.
Throughout the 2020 Brier, from Friday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, Mar. 8, 2020, a number of special programs, offers and events will take place. A full list of those is available through Visit Kingston here, but here’s a look at what’s in store, apart from the epic curling tournament, which will take place at the Leon’s Centre each day.
Free transit
Beginning today and until the end of service on Sunday, Mar. 8, 2020, Kingston Transit services are free for all Brier volunteers and ticketholders. Transit riders need to simply show their ticket or volunteer accreditation when boarding a Kingston Transit bus.
Horse-drawn wagon rides
Adding to the wintery fun in the historic downtown core, free horse-drawn wagon rides will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on:
- Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020
- Thursday, Mar. 5, 2020
- Friday, Mar. 6, 2020
- Saturday, Mar. 7, 2020
Themed skate night
Rock’n the Rink will take place at the rink at Springer Market Square on Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2020 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Curling Cash
Over 20 businesses are participating in the Curling Cash promotion. Those with Curling Cash will save $10 on purchases of $50 or more at the participating businesses. The Curling Cash is available at the Leon’s Centre, the Visitor’s Information Centre, hotels, and participating businesses. A full list of participating businesses is available here.
Food and drink specials
Over 15 restaurants and bars in downtown Kingston are participating ‘Curling Chews,’ creating unique culinary delights available throughout the Brier, and perfect for in between draws. From a variety of poutines, to burger specials and curling-themed plates (like the ‘Bonspiel Steak Nachos’ at Harper’s Burger Bar), Curling Chews are made fresh daily and start at $5.95. A full list of participating restaurants is available here.
Additionally, Aqua Terra, Dianne’s Fish Shack and Smokehouse, Atomica, and Chien Noir will be offering ‘Snow Delicious’ specials throughout the 2020 Brier. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays all three restaurants have special lunch items for $14 ($20 with a glass of wine) and three-course dinner menus at $35 ($41 with a glass of wine). Full details are available here.
The Brier Patch
Starting today, the legendary Brier Patch opens up across from the Leon’s Centre, providing a place for curling fans to come together between draws for food, entertainment, and to even meet some of the curlers. The heated Brier Patch opens tonight at 7:30 p.m., and will feature live music from The Good Bones. It will then be open daily at 11 a.m. until Sunday, Mar. 8, 2020, and entry is free. The Patch will also features a buffet meal between draws and a concession stand throughout the day with sandwiches, hotdogs, pizza, nachos, and more. The area is licensed and serving beer, wine, and liquor, and Kingston’s own Spearhead Brewing is the official beer partner.
The entertainment lineup includes local bands Ambush, 80s Enuff, and Turpin’s Trail, and welcomes The Carpet Frogs, Leah Daniels, Long Range Hustle, and the Toronto Raptors’ bucket drummers The 6ix Stix from out of town.
And some of the country’s best curlers will be at The Patch between draws for autographs and up-close-and-personal sessions.
The entire schedule for events at the Brier Patch is available here.
Of course, all eyes will be on the ice as Canada’s best male curlers rock Kingston like never before. Stay tuned for more coverage, and enjoy the Brier!