Just as cottage season kicks in to full force, the city starts filling up with weekend food festivals. Oh what a choice, do we sit on a dock sipping ice cold beers or wander the street... sipping ice cold beers and sampling the flavours of the world. Phht... the dock can wait 'til August, I'm going to hit the streets!
June 29-July 2 - Toronto Ribfest
Woo Hoo - Ribfest! Beer tents, ribs, yum yum yum. (Note: while it's called "Toronto Ribfest" it's actually in Etobicoke's Centennial Park, near Rathburn & the 427)
July 6-8 - Corso Italia Toronto Fiesta
10 years and still going strong, the Corso Italia Toronto Fiesta is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to experience the food and culture of Toronto's own Corso Italia. Bands will perform on street corners, patios and balconies playing everything from Classical to Salsa. Food and beverage retailers will offer a mouth-watering selection of tastes and flavours, with promotions and samples of their cuisine.
July 6-22 - Summerlicious
Now in it's 5th year, Summerlicious is still going strong. Prix fixe menus offered for lunch at either $15 or $20, and dinner at either $25 or $35 depending on the restaurant. Restaurants start taking reservations on June 21st.
This year the Toronto City site provides restaurant listings, neighbourhood listings and a "survival guide" (which is really more a set of rules than anything.) Hey, do you have Summerlicious survival tips? Perhaps we'll pull together our own survival guide.
July 6-8 - Taste of Lawrence
Lawrence Avenue East will showcase the unique flavours found throughout the neighbourhood, enjoy show-stopping performers, participate in hands-on kids activities, ride the midway into the night, see amazing street performers and much more to be experienced. (yes, this is a canned profile. If you've been to this event, tell us more about it! Especially the food)
July 7-8 - Afrofest
See and hear traditional and contemporary styles of music by dozens of different African performing groups along with top international touring acts. The festival has grown every year, and in 2007 there will be 3 different stage areas. Come to Queen's Park and discover Africa in the heart of Toronto! (I missed this one last year, and didn't hear the end of it. Yet, I'm still using a canned profile. If you've been to this event, tell us more about it! Especially the food)
July 8 -
PS Mirvish VillageThis is the FIRST EVER
Pedestrian Sundays in Mirvish Village! No details on themes yet, but more as it comes.
PS Mirvish Village will be on July 8, August 12 & September 9th.
July 8- Aug 9 - Caribana
Caribana is back for its 40th year celebrating the music, cuisine and arts of the Caribbean region watch for concerts, events, Caribana specials and deals all over the city. The Parade is on August 4.
July 11- Aug 22 - Fresh Wednesdays
Live music and a farmers' market fill up Nathan Phillip's Square every Wednesday. Yum yum.
July 12- Aug 23 - Tasty Thursdays
Toronto restaurants will be featuring select menu items for five dollars or less. In addition to the delicious international cuisine, which includes pad thai, empanada, jerk chicken and jumbo shrimp, each week there will be a free noon hour concert. What a treat! Who's serving what.
July 13 - Toronto Street Treats
From noon until 2pm, Nathan Philips Square becomes a sampling-ground of what could be the next great Toronto street foods (once the new changes to Ontario's street food vendor regulations hit the street on August 1st.) Restaurants from around the city are offering tasty street food treats for $1-$6.
July 13-14 -
Salsa on St. Clair Showcasing of the very best of Latin life: pulsating music and passionate dancing, skilled craftsmen and fine artisans, fiery foods and world class wines. Take dancing lessons. Brave the jalapeno sauces. Settle in to the cigar lounge. Sing along with the strolling singers. Dress up for the TLN cameras. (Mondo-man, help me out here... I know you go!)
July 14-15 - Tastes of Thailand 2007 [Nathan Philip's Square]
Celebrate the King's 80th birthday and experience traditional Songkran festival at the Tastes of Thailand. Food from 10 "Thai-selected" restaurants, cooking demonstrations, Thai fruits, dances, fashion show and kick-boxing demos. Should be fascinating and tasty.
July 14-15 - International Festival of India
A unique and colourful event you don't want to miss. Free vegetarian feast, exhibits, dances, dramas (of the theatrical kind I'm hoping), yoga and meditation. Even a parade along Yonge and Bloor and travelling over to Centre Island.
July 15 - PS Baldwin
Pedestrian Sundays are expanding to Baldwin Village and Mirvish Village! PS Baldwin will be on July 15, August 19 & September 16th.
July 20-22 - PartiGras
As a part of a string of jazz festivals in and around Toronto, the annual Parti Gras grooves into the Historic Distillery District for three days.
July 20-22 - Dim Sum Chinese Festival
Dim Sum Festival! Colour me there! Lots of wide yummy Chinese cuisine and music, art and more all wrapped up together in a celebration and showcase of Chinese culture.
July 26 6pm-10pm - The King St. Crawl
The King St. Crawl is a "summer beer-sampling event" (aka Pub Crawl) and is a satellite event to the Toronto Festival of Beer. You need a passport, which you can generally pick up down in the King St. West District. Get your passport to summer! (And BEER!) Oh... and they offer food too.
July 27-29 - Masala! Mehndi! Masti!
One of my favourite festivals of the summer Masala! Mehndi! Masti! is back at Exhibition Place... yes! Exhibition Place. Did you miss that move last year? I did. "Our food vendors feature mouth watering South Asian dishes from Mughlai chicken to South Indian dosas, Hakka Chinese noodles to West Indian doubles!" Oh boy! That's the kind of detail I try and get for all these events!
July 29 - PS Kensington
This month's Pedestrian Sunday theme in Kensington Market is Water! Streams of Consciousness. (Pedestrian Sundays are expanding to Mirvish Village and Baldwin Village in July)
July 29 - Brazilfest
Come enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Brazil at the fourth annual Brazilian Summer Festival this summer. A real Carnival in Toronto, with music, happiness and the unique touch of Brazilian friendship for all.
BrazilFest will feature the best of Brazil's music and dance, reflecting the best of Brazilian culture.
We'd love to hear what you thought of these festivities, and please let us know if we missed anything in your neighbourhood or any of your favourites!!
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