East York Canada Day Festival set to celebrate its 70th year

The East York Canada Day Festival will celebrate its 70th anniversary, on Wednesday, July 1, with a full day of events including a community parade, live entertainment, family friendly activities, food vendors and a fireworks finale at Stan Wadlow Park.

As one of Toronto’s longest running Canada Day events, the volunteer-run festival is set to bring together communities and families for a day of celebration and fun, running rain or shine.

The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with the annual Community Parade. More than 35 community and civic groups will be taking part, travelling from Dieppe Park (455 Cosburn Ave.), east along Cosburn Avenue, then north on Woodbine Avenue, before ending at Trenton Avenue.

Official opening ceremonies for the festival will take place at noon on the main stage at Stan Wadlow Park, 373 Cedarvale Ave., and will be emceed by actor and East Yorker Joe Motiki.

Entertainment will kick off with a performance by the Danforth Children’s choir at 12:20 p.m.

Guests attending the East York Canada Day Festival can expect a wide range of activities throughout the day.

Alongside live music and performances, residents can enjoy a beer garden presented by Goldenfield Brewery, and more than 80 artisan, food, and community vendor booths. Attendees can also expect a variety of games, a rock-climbing wall, and a fishing pond. The Kiwanis Pool and splash pad will also be open for anyone looking to cool off.

Performances slated for the main stage at Stan Wadlow Park on July 1 include The Devil’s Drink Band at 1:30 p.m.; The East York All Star Band at 4:30 p.m.; James Levac: The Piano Man at 5:40 p.m.; Meteor Heist at 7 p.m.; and Trainwreck at 8:30 p.m.

The Canada Day festivities will conclude at 10 p.m. with a firework show at Stan Wadlow Park presented by the City of Toronto.

For more information on the East York celebrations, and the day’s schedule on July 1, please visit https://eycdc.ca/