What to know
- Taste of the Danforth is receiving up to $100,000 from the federal government as the festival returns Aug. 8-10 following a two-year hiatus.
- The funding announcement comes after former politicians, community leaders and festival organizers publicly called on Ottawa to support the festival.
- Organizers are calling the federal contribution a “strong vote of confidence” in Toronto’s Main Streets and the independent businesses surrounding the festival.
- This year’s festival will feature an expanded entertainment lineup and new soccer attractions alongside its food and cultural programming.
Days after former Toronto politicians and community leaders publicly called on Ottawa to help fund Taste of the Danforth, the federal government has answered with up to $100,000.
The funding comes as the iconic Greektown street festival prepares to return Aug. 8-10 following a two-year hiatus caused by rising operating costs, declining sponsorships and mounting security expenses.
Since 1994, the free three-day event has typically been held every year in Greektown, from Danforth Avenue from Broadview to Jones. However, the event hasn’t run in the last two years due to rising operating costs, reduced sponsorships and increased security expenses.
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But after receiving federal funding and support from the City of Toronto and the Ontario government, the two-year hiatus comes to an end, with the Taste of the Danforth returning to Toronto’s streets from Aug. 8-10.
The federal government releases a statement
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced funding of up to $100,000 through the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program on Wednesday.
“The Taste of the Danforth festival brings people together to celebrate the cultures, traditions and experiences that make Canada such a diverse and welcoming country,” Miller said in a news release.
“We are proud to support events that reflect the many communities that shape our country, contribute to the vitality of our local economies and help make Canada stronger. We look forward to the return of the Taste of the Danforth in Toronto.”
‘A strong vote of confidence’: The Taste of the Danforth shares its thoughts
The Taste of the Danforth shares in a press release that they’re happy to be back and to be backed by the government for the festival.
“It was always our vision to see the federal, provincial and municipal governments standing together on our world stage in support of what has become an iconic Canadian festival,” Tony, Chair of the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA, said in a press release.
The festival welcomes approximately 1.5 million visitors each year to celebrate culture, tradition and community, according to the press release.
“The Government of Canada’s participation is also a strong vote of confidence in Canada’s Main Streets and the independent businesses that bring them to life,” the press release reads in part.
Local restaurants, cafes, retailers and family-owned businesses have endured great challenges from COVID19 to inflation, rising labour costs and global trade uncertainty.
“Government support for Taste of the Danforth is an investment in these entrepreneurs, the jobs they create, and the neighbourhoods they help sustain,” the press release continues.
“This investment is about much more than a weekend Festival. It is an investment in small business, tourism, local jobs and the vibrant Main Streets that are the backbone of communities across Canada,” Tony said in the release.
According to the Province of Ontario’s economic impact model, the Taste of the Danforth generates approximately $91 million in economic activity.
What’s new at Taste of the Danforth this year?
The Taste of the Danforth is excited to reveal an expanded entertainment lineup, including Toronto’s M.K., a Greek-Canadian basketball creator, Sarah Louis-Jean, an internationally acclaimed dance and circus artist with a Guinness World Record, and more.
The Taste of the Danforth is also inspiring itself off of its FIFA World Cup 2026 host duties and is hosting two soccer attractions, including performances from Freestyle Soccer Montreal, and Canada’s Soccer Mirror Man: an interactive performer dressed in a reflective mirror suit, combined with freestyle soccer tricks.
“It has become a multicultural festival with a ‘dollop of tzatziki’ on top,” the press release reads in part.
