Taste of Lawrence set for this weekend
Food and fun slated for annual event
Lawrence Avenue is once again ready to come alive with different flavours and entertainment for the fifth annual Taste of Lawrence Festival.
The event kicks off at 8 p.m. Friday, July 4 and keeps going strong all weekend long.
Organized by the Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area, the festival features cultural foods, street performers, amusements rides, a kids area, activities and entertainment.
"It's for all ages - families, seniors, kids," said Hussein Ayoub, chair of the Wexford Heights BIA.
"It's the largest multicultural festival in Scarborough in the largest multicultural neighbourhood in Scarborough."
On Friday evening things go back in time with a retro theme featuring group ABBAMANIA performing a variety of ABBA classics. On Saturday and Sunday there are a variety of musical acts scheduled for the main stage.
Since its inception the event has grown considerably with attendance last year estimated at 125,000 people. The unique event allows visitors to experience a variety of cultures in just a few blocks.
"Where else can you go to a neighbourhood, walk a few blocks and experience a variety of cultural restaurants and shops. This is a unique area made of many ethnic groups and each bringing out their cultures and traditions for everyone to experience," Ayoub said.
"This is why the Taste of Lawrence Festival was created, to feature our unique cultures not only to our community, but to the rest of the GTA."
Foods available from the street's many vendors range from Mediterranean to Chinese to Afghan.
Lawrence Avenue will be closed to traffic from Warden Avenue to Crockford Boulevard so visitors can stroll along and enjoy all the festival has to offer.
Returning visitors are welcome, as well as first-time visitors or those new to the community.
"If they haven't visited us before they should come out and give us a try," Ayoub said. "They'll have a good time.
"Bring the family out and try all a taste of all of the multicultural tastes we have on Lawrence."
The Taste of Lawrence Festival also gives the BIA and the community a chance to give back to local charities. This year, net proceeds will be donated to the Wexford Residence, a seniors long-term care facility.
The event runs Friday from 8 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visit www.tasteoflawrence.com for details.
