One of Toronto’s most popular street festivals may face an uncertain future.
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Taste of the Danforth is hampered by “logistical problems”, organizers say.
The event is produced by the Greektown on the Danforth Business Improvement Area (BIA) and is scheduled to take place from August 5 to 7 on Danforth Avenue, from Broadview to Donlands avenue.
But in a statement to CP24 on Wednesday morning, Mary Fragedakis, executive director of BIA, said organizers had been “in talks” with the city of Toronto for five months over concerns about how to actually organize the event.
“The permanent installation of CafeTO and the infrastructure of the bike lanes have created challenges for the organization of the festival, as we have done in previous years,” said Fragedakis.
“We are constantly asking the city to remove the courtyards on the borders of CafeTO and the infrastructure for bike lanes for 3 days to allow us to host Taste.”
She said the city was not moving.
“(They) were clear that this would not be taken into account under any circumstances and wanted a rethought of Danforth’s taste without allowing the use of the whole street. The whole street is needed for a street festival with the size of taste and to ensure the safety of all those present, “said Fragedakis.
A Toronto spokesman said he would “continue to work actively with festival organizers” to find a solution.
“The big festivals are an important part of Toronto’s summer,” the city said in a statement. “City officials from many departments continue to work actively with the organizers of the festival in Taste of the Danforth, as well as with the local BIA, to help this annual celebration return with any changes that may be needed to guarantees its success. “
Brad Ross, the city’s chief spokesman, said that “discussions with event organizers are still active and ongoing.”
Taste of the Danforth, Canada’s largest street festival, welcomes approximately 1.6 million visitors in three days. The event had an economic impact of approximately $ 70 million in 2019, organizers said.
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