It’s a jam-packed week on What Barrie’s Talking About from Barrie 360 — the podcast that dives into the stories shaping our community. We’re celebrating the season with Santa Claus parades, talking about a Barrie company that’s been leading the recycling charge for four decades, catching up with our local hockey teams, and finding out how one holiday tradition is bringing smiles to families who need it most. Tis the Season: Santa Claus Parades Kick Off Across Simcoe County The holiday season officially starts this weekend as Santa Claus parades roll through the region — and Barrie’s parade is right in the mix. Barrie Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Markle joins Barrie 360’s Ian MacLennan to share what to expect this year, what makes Barrie’s parade special, and how local businesses and community groups are coming together to spread that holiday cheer. Catch the full chat in the episode — and find our full list of local parades at Barrie360.com. Big Things Happening for the Barrie Jr. Sharks It’s been an exciting season for the Barrie Jr. Sharks. From strong performances to growing community support, there’s a lot of buzz around the team. We’ve got an update on what’s happening on and off the ice, and what fans can look forward to as the season continues. 40 Years of Recycling Innovation with Busch Systems A true Barrie success story, Busch Systems is celebrating 40 years of helping the world go green. Founder and CEO Craig Busch joins Ian MacLennan to reflect on the company’s journey from a university project to a global leader in sustainable recycling solutions. He also shares where the industry is headed next — and how Barrie continues to play a big role in environmental innovation. Colts Climbing Back Up After a rough start, the Barrie Colts are heating up — winning six of their last seven and sitting second in the Central Division behind Niagara. Barrie 360’s Julius Hern and Colts analyst Gene Pereira break down what’s clicking for the team, where they still need to tighten up, and why there’s plenty of reason for optimism heading deeper into the season. The Annual Toy Tea Returns It might sound fancy, but it’s all heart. The Toy Tea is back — an annual event that collects toys and donations to help local families during the holidays. Angela Baldwin, part of the organizing committee, joins Ian MacLennan to share how the tradition started, what makes it so special, and how people can get involved. You can learn more or make a donation at toytea.ca. Listen Now That’s what Barrie’s talking about this week! You can listen to the full episode of What Barrie’s Talking About anywhere you get your podcasts — or stream it right from Barrie360.com. Follow us on Bluesky and X @Barrie360 for updates, and don’t forget to check out our Daily Kickstart podcast for your weekday news fix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices