History
Innisfil incorporated as town in 1991 when the township of Innisfil amalgamated with the village of Cookstown and parts of townships of both West Gwilimbury & Tecumseh. Consisting of the following towns: Alcona, Churchill, Cookstown, Gilford, Lefroy, Stroud and rural areas. The population as per the 2016 census was 36,566.
Innisfil is a poetic name for Ireland. The area, formerly used by the Huron-Wendat, was surveyed in 1820. The first settlers arrived through the Holland River and Lake Simcoe. 2020 marked Innisfil’s Bicentennial, 200 years since the land was first surveyed.
The eastern part of Innisfil is along the shore of Lake Simcoe and about 75 km north of Toronto, making this a great mix of residential, retirement and summer cottage residents. Real estate value in Innisfil has been steadily increasing due to it’s close proximity to Barrie, easy commuting distance to the GTA and many new developments.
Events
The recreational use of Lake Simcoe attracts many tourists as does the historical buildings in Cookstown and several provincial parks and wildlife areas. Innisfil is an all-season community with options for every outdoor lover from an array of parks, fishing (and ice-fishing), many beaches for families and beach-goers, snowmobile trails and many schools and public libraries. Innisfil Rib-Fest started in 2017 and included a variety of rib and other festival food vendors, activities including midway and carnival games, a marketplace, artisans and live music with tribute bands all weekend.