Not to be a buzzkill, but the last weekend of August is fast approaching. Luckily, before the hazy lazy days of summer are replaced by serious sober September, the fine people of St Laurent Boulevard will bring you one last blockbuster party, in the form of the St Laurent Street Fest.

Officially titled “The Mix’Arts”, the street fest will feature all the events you’ve come to love, from over 200 participating merchants: drinking and people watching on temporary street-side terraces, outdoor sales at new and vintage shops, and tasty street food (think mangos served lollipop-style and lots of grilled BBQ meats). As always, the street will be closed to car traffic, allowing you to mosey from terrace, to food stand, to boutique, to terrace again, all between Sherbrooke and Mont Royal.

In addition to the usual dine-shop-booze trifecta, The Mix’Arts will also feature a number of outdoor art shows and musical performances, including shows by jazz funk collective Coyote Bill, pop-rock act Third Place and violinist MEL. All performances will take place at the corner of St Laurent and Prince Arthur. Meanwhile, circus artists will pirouette up and down the boulevard for your viewing pleasure, while Fado music and Portuguese poetry wafts through the air. All events are free.

The street fest kicks off Thursday, August 23 at 10am and runs until 11:45pm on Sunday, August 26.

~ Heidi Craig