Torontonians are sharing their takes and best moments from the Taste of Little Italy festival over the weekend, including a viral video of a senior dancing.
One of the city’s most awaited street summer festivals took over College St. from Bathurst to Shaw streets, for three days of local vendors, food and drinks, and lots of fun moments.
This year, the festival saw some exciting changes, including the addition of new main stages for more live performances and a partnership with the bike-ride service Rickshaw that allowed attendees to catch a ride for free between Augusta Ave. and Baldwin St. and Sankofa Square.
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Torontonians and visitors shared their experience on social media, including a viral video of a senior festival-goer hitting the dance floor with her bold moves.
The video received millions of likes with people giving her the title of “diva” and “retired baddie” online, and even Canadian rapper Drake commented on the dance moves.
“Holy 6 mom is gonna flip her top if she ever catches her,” Drake said on Instagram, referring to dancing painter Andrea Bolley, who goes by Mother of Toronto and 6 Mom.
“I know a diva when I see one,” one Tiktok user said.
“She’s a retired baddie for sure,” a different user chimed in.
Other attendees are also taking over social media to praise the festival for opening up more spaces and opportunities for Torontonians to have fun and connect with each other in the city.
“It’s definitely worth coming to little Italy in the summer if only for the cute back patios,” another user added
“Just came back from the festival, Saturday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Super crowded. It was fun though. Lots of music on the streets, people dancing. Vibes were great,” another user added.
“Street festivals are such a vibe in Toronto,” a TikTok user said.
Meanwhile, some attendees said that despite its name, they were expecting more Italian food and music options.
Some residents online even suggested that the festival should consider moving to other neighbourhoods to preserve its Italian identity or change the name of the festival.
“Not [worth it] if what you’re expecting is some sort of celebration of Italian food. It’s just going to be mostly the same vendors that are at every other Toronto street festival,” one Reddit user said.
“I think Toronto should try something called ‘Diversity Fest’ and we just celebrate as many cultures as possible. Because as an Italian living in Toronto for the last five years and going to these Taste of [Little] Italy each year, there is hardly anything Italian,” a TikToker chimed in.
“Maybe they should move Taste of Little Italy to Vaughan/Woodbridge,” a different user added.
