Posted by Rebecca Zamon in events, events upcoming on July 1, 2008 at 7:48 am
In a city touted for its multiculturalism by every tourism campaign and boasting citizen abroad, calling yourself the most multi-culturally based area in all of Canada is a tall order. But that's the word from the Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area, who is gearing up for this weekend's 5th annual Taste of Lawrence Festival with an eye toward attracting both visitors and locals alike.
Frank Greco, event manager for the festival, anticipates a crowd surpassing the 125,000 guests who wandered amongst the free musical entertainment, midway and street performers last year. In the "food vendor alley," as he puts, the focus has been on showcasing the flavours of the cultures seen throughout the area. "If you take a walk around here," he explains, "you'll see the retail look changing from one ethnic area to the other." So getting these business involved, along with some outside help, only made representational sense.
The vendors will act as positive foreshadowing for the promised, but yet-to-be-delivered Toronto street food that sets out to catch our city up to, well, anywhere that offers more than hot dogs on the sidewalk. A hoped-for 30 vendors will include the jerk chicken and roti from Ebony Express alongside traditional Equadorian dishes from the well-known La Fiesta Catering. Shwarma from Quick Pita and west Indian cuisine are also promised, but last year, it was the murtabak from Pondicherry Caters that caught the eye of local media. Rather than force patrons into a food court-style setting - though rest areas are provided - the food is intended to be enjoyed while walking the streets, watching the entertainment and grazing at whichever cart is emitting scents that set the mouth watering.
A place of prominence is being given to recycling bins and organic waste disposal in an attempt to not only make this event cleaner and greener, but to educate the masses, part of the whole purpose of the weekend. More than anything else, Greco emphasizes, the festival is there to inspire people from all over the GTA to visit an area that they may not realize had such cultural gems. But any event that brings together street meat, an Abba tribute band and a merry-go-round needs no further incentive—bring on the summer, Lawrence Avenue.
The Taste of Lawrence Festival runs along Lawrence Avenue East, between Warden Avenue and Crockford Boulevard from July 4th – 6th. More information can be found at the festival website.
Photos courtesy of the Taste of Lawrence website.
