Taste of the Danforth

Annual Greek Festival Dishes out Yummy Treats

This year's 10th annual Taste of the Danforth, running August 8 through August 10, will offer a delicious, inexpensive sampling of foods from more than 80 local restaurants, as well as beer, wine and ouzo gardens. An inflatable village and children's area and musical entertainment will also be included. Shoppers will be delighted as vendors will line up their wares along the street.
The festival was established a decade ago with the support of Krinos Foods, the event's active sponsor. Modeled after the hugely successful Taste of Chicago, the Taste of the Danforth is a celebration of Hellenic cuisine and Hellenic culture. In its first year, the event drew a crowd of 5000 people who were treated to the tastes of 23 restaurants. The event has grown since its humble beginnings, with last year's festival drawing an estimated crowd of more than 700,000 attendees, with individuals coming from Ontario, Quebec, the northeastern American states and from around the world.
This year's event is doubly special as it not only celebrates a decade of great success, but also the upcoming 2004 Athens Olympics. The RBC Olympic FanFair, which will be set up on Danforth Avenue east of Pape Avenue, will transform the street into a giant interactive sports centre for the whole family. Attendees will be able to test their skills in various Summer Olympic. Canadian Olympians will also be hand for autographs and demonstrations.
Always the highlight of the festival, a mouth-watering assortment of foods will be available to taste. While food will comprise of an eclectic mix that is representative of Toronto's multicultural identity, the focus will be on Greek cuisine. Souvlaki, ravioli, dim sum, mezes, spanakopita, tofu and much more will provide a fantastic and diverse sampling for festival-goers.
Truly an event for everyone, the Taste of the Danforth provides activities geared especially towards children. Such activities include climbing walls, which will be located west of Chester on the Danforth. The Maple Leaf Breakaway will also be featured at this location. In addition, the Woodgreen Inflatable Fire Engine Jumping Castle will be located east of Chester on Danforth.
Other entertainment includes music and fashion. Three stages will be set up along Danforth Avenue: the Greek Stage, the International Stage and the Main Stage. Here, various musicians will be performing throughout the weekend. A fashion show will also be held on the International Stage near Broadview on Saturday (4 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m.) and on the Greek Stage on Sunday (5:30 p.m.). The event will show off the Danforth's unique and affordable fashions.
For more information on this year's festival, visit www.tasteofthedanforth.com.

Publication Date: 2003-08-10
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3033