A Scarborough street festival, held for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Toronto, drew around 250,000 people over three days, according to an organizer.
The 2022 Taste of Lawrence International Food, Music and Culture Festival, hosted by the Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area (BIA), was held on Lawrence Avenue East on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Lawrence Avenue East was closed from Warden Avenue to Birchmount Road for the event.
“The festival is going very well. Obviously we had the biggest turnout we’ve ever seen,” Michael Plan, president and president of the Wexford Heights BIA, said Sunday towards the close of the event.
“People want to get out. They’ve been locked up for too long. This is the first year everyone has been allowed out and we invite everyone to be here.”
The festival featured food from local restaurants, music from Canadian artists, family-friendly shows, carnival games and rides, and items from local stores. There were over 130 vendors.
At the Birchmount end of the festival there were small roller coasters, a giant slide and a Ferris wheel. On the side of the guards, there was a main stage, face paint, clothes and jewelry for sale, and plenty of food vendors. In the middle, there was a family stage.
“Everything is going great. The weather has been great. It’s been great weather all weekend,” Phan said.
Event celebrates Scarborough’s diversity, councilor says
Com. Michael Thompson, who represents Scarborough Centre, said food is an important part of the festival and the event brings the community together. He said the festival, which is a peaceful and respectful event, celebrates Scarborough and its diversity.
“We’re thrilled to be back. It’s amazing to see all the families and individuals coming to experience the variety of different providers,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity to get out and share. Everyone is having an amazing time, just having fun.”
In an online poster, the BIA said: “Our festival has always been a point of pride for us as we showcase and celebrate the diversity of our community.”
The BIA represents 285 businesses on Lawrence between Victoria Park Avenue and Birchmount Road.
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