Taste of the Danforth facts for kids
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The Taste of the Danforth is a super fun festival held every year in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It takes place in the Greektown area, along a street called Danforth Avenue. This festival lasts for three days in August. It was inspired by a similar event called the Taste of Chicago in the United States.
Did you know it's Canada's biggest street festival? It started way back in 1993. In 2013, it celebrated its 20th birthday! The festival is all about celebrating delicious Greek food and culture. Many people say the festival has grown a lot over the years.
This exciting event usually happens on the second weekend of August. Lots of people come to visit! In the past, as many as 1.6 million people have attended over the three days. About 1.6 kilometers of Danforth Avenue is closed off for the festival. This stretch goes from Broadview Avenue to past Jones Avenue.
Unfortunately, the festival was cancelled in 2020. This was because of rules from the City of Toronto during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Large gatherings were not allowed. It was also cancelled in 2021 and again in 2022.
Discovering Greek Food and Fun
At the Taste of the Danforth, you can try many tasty Greek foods. Some popular choices include:
- Pork, chicken, and beef souvlaki (meat on a stick)
- Spanakopita (a savory spinach and cheese pastry)
- Loukoumades (sweet honey doughnuts)
- Gyros (meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie)
- Roast quail
You can also sit down and eat at the many restaurants along Danforth Avenue. They offer Greek favorites like saganaki, which is a "flaming" cheese dish. You can also enjoy fresh Greek salads. Thousands of people come each year to enjoy these delicious treats.
Besides food, there are also fun activities at the festival. You might find face-painting stations. There are also video games to play. Existing stores and restaurants on the street stay open during the festival. They often open their doors right onto the street for visitors.
