By Becca Lemire
Neighbourhood revitalization, making new friends, soaking in different cultures, and a little but of community togetherness. These are only just a few reasons you should head over to west Toronto’s Bloorcourt area, on Bloor in between Dufferin and Montrose, this Saturday August 14th from around noon to 6pm. It’s free to walk around, kid-friendly, pet-friendly, and the street will be closed off to cars so it’s definitely feet and bike friendly (take that, Rob Ford! ). Does sampling some of the tastiest Ethiopian, Mexican and Portuguese cuisine Toronto has to offer, as well as many other niche restaurants, interest your taste buds? Or how about being entertained by clowns, silver Elvis, town criers, dancers, buskers, stilts, face painting, organ barrel grinder and tons of live music? Sound OK? If you’re not already familiar with the Bloorcourt neighbourhood of Toronto, this is the perfect time to check it out. Take a dip in Christie Pits Pool or a stroll in beautiful Dufferin Park to add some relaxation to the day. A Kids Zone will be taking place from 12-3pm at Irene Ave. Parkette at Bloor and Shaw, with fun games, more clowns and even more face painting. Also, be sure to check out the Market Place in the Salem Parkette going on all day. Local artists and community organizations will be selling arts and crafts and educating the community, and you’ll find it a few blocks west of Ossington, around the corner from the Scotiabank, on Salem Ave. Local business and people in the neighbourhood will be participating in an all-day sidewalk sale, so all you treasure seekers and bargain hunters, be sure to come, and bring friends! The festival finishes off with a free Big Screen movie screening (kid friendly) from 9-11pm at Salem Parkette. Bring a chair or something to sit on, please no pets or alcohol at this event, and kindly turn cell phones off when the movie is playing. A perfect day to take a nice stroll, meet your fellow Torontonians, support local business and snap some cool pics.