What to know
- Content creator Winnie Chen is hosting the second edition of her viral community picnic at Centennial Park on Saturday, July 11, after last year’s event attracted more than 1,000 attendees.
- The free, potluck-style gathering encourages people in their 20s to bring food, blankets and games while meeting new people through casual conversations, music and group activities.
- Chen says the event was inspired by a lack of “third spaces” in Toronto, arguing that many young adults struggle to make friends after graduating or entering the workforce.
- New this year, attendees can also participate in a blind dating and matchmaking experience hosted by Toronto creator hangwithnini_.
Remember the girl who brought a thousand people together in Toronto for a picnic last summer? She’s back for another equally huge event this weekend.
Content creator Winnie Chen went viral last May for inviting strangers online to a huge picnic in Toronto. The idea was a hit, especially among youth in the city, bringing over a thousand people to Centennial Park for casual bites and connection.
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Creator to host another major picnic
After last year’s success, the creator is now back with another large-scale picnic that promises to bring the “whimsy” vibes back to the city and foster connection for Torontonians in their 20s.
The event works like a potluck picnic, with attendees being asked to bring their own food and blankets, as there will be no food vendors onsite.
Attendees have an opportunity to mix and mingle with other people in the city, enjoy food at the park, and vibe to sounds by artists Eunice, Valen, and DJ Steve.
Similar to last year, this summer’s picnic is taking place at the Centennial Park on 14 Saskatchewan Rd. between 1 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.
Those who wish to RSVP to the event can do so on Partiful.
Event aims to encourage connections
Chen told Now Toronto the idea behind the picnic is to foster connections, especially among people in their 20s living in the city.
According to her, young people in the city lack third spaces and spots to meet others and hang out, especially those who are not attending university or have already graduated.
“I think going to school is already a community in itself. But for a lot of people who’ve already graduated, they go to work and then they come home, [and] maybe there’s not much to do,” she said.
As explained by Chen, although there’s no shortage of activities in Toronto, from street festivals to sporting events, a lot of them are not conducive to meeting new people, which leads to many young people feeling isolated in the city.
“It’s kind of taboo to talk to someone on the TTC or maybe at a cafe… or maybe events feel too prescribed,” she said. “I think people are just looking for something more natural, a way to just meet new people.”
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In the name of fostering connections, the creator said she’s also created a group chat following last year’s picnic, in which people can share ideas for hangouts and invite each other to connect even beyond the original event.
After last year’s success, Chen expects this new picnic to also be a hit, with only 147 spots left out of 1,500 initial RSVP openings.
What attendees can expect
The event will be filled with opportunities for organic networking, where attendees can just relax in the park, meet new people, dance to DJ sounds, and participate in activities.
Chen also encourages attendees to bring accessories for their favourite games, from volleyball to badminton, to board games.
The creator is also trying to organize a game activity inspired by the Netflix hit Squid Games, with a round of Red Light, Green Light.
Overall, all activities are encouraged.
“Toronto needs more whimsy. [By] whimsy I mean like serendipity is when two people meet unexpectedly or in a natural place without it being prescribed. Or that people should just go out and have more fun,” she added.
Picnic to include matchmaking activity
Those looking for a new boo will also have an opportunity to meet a potential dream partner at this year’s picnic.
Another Toronto creator, who goes by hangwithnini_ on Instagram, has shared that she will be match-making attendees during the event.
The creator said she will be setting up people on blind dates during the picnic, including a set table, ice-breaking conversation points and activities.
Those who want to be set up for the blind dates can fill out the Wingwomen Form and attend the event on Saturday.
