Family fun, and craft beer, on tap at Leslieville Block Fest this Saturday
By NAFISAT ALAO
The Leslieville Block Fest will take over Dundas Street East from Logan to Carlaw avenues on Saturday, Aug. 24, transforming the area into a bustling street party.
The event will run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., rain or shine, with the street closing from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Formerly recognized as the Leslieville Beer Festival, the event has recently been renamed.
This transformation, according to co-founder Ruben Vina, was to promote inclusivity and bring in more local vendors from the neighbourhood that did not associate with beer drinking.
“When talking to people everyone was saying they weren’t beer drinkers so we changed the name to Leslieville Block Fest to make it more inclusive…the difference between the beer fest and the block fest is that families didn’t feel as included and we wanted to change that,” said Vina.
Several sponsors will be supporting the festival, with Metrolinx among the major contributors, sponsoring numerous children’s activities.
Other sponsors and vendors attending the event include Beanfield, Gerrard Square, The Weir Team, Alterra, Norseman, Vive Fitness, Access Storage, Ace Golf, Raymond James Wealth management, …ish Coffee, Gerrard Street Bakery, Toronto Dog Moms and Bark and Chill, Eastbound Brewing, Saulter Street Brewery, Avling, Rorschach Brewing, and several other microbreweries.
Additionally, the festival will feature a variety of artisans.
“These corporations see real value in what we are doing and they are putting real dollars forward to being part of it,” said Vina of the Leslieville Block Fest.
More than 2,500 people are expected to attend the event this year, according to Vina.
“We are looking to achieve a more community feel…this event provides a venue and an atmosphere where people can connect,” said Vina of his vision for this year’s festival.
Entry to the festival is free.
For craft beer access tickets at the festival, please go to the website at https://www.leslievilleblockfest.com/
Although early bird tickets for craft beer access are sold out, Vina said those attending can still save $5 on those tickets by using promo code BEACHMETRO.
Volunteers are also needed for the event and will receive a shirt and coffee for their efforts.
Charity partner for the Leslieville Block Fest is the Red Door Shelter in East Toronto.
For more information regarding this Saturday’s Leslieville Block Fest, please visit https://www.leslievilleblockfest.com/
Jessica, Judith and AJ enjoy a craft beer from the Saulter Street Brewery tent during the 2023 Leslieville Beer Fest. Beach Metro Community News file photo by Susan Legge.
