It was a bit of a gamble to launch a new festival on the first-ever Family Day, said Charles Cameron, chair of the Beach Business Improvement Association.But it was one that was well worth it, he said, as thousands of people made their way to the Beach for an afternoon of family oriented fun.
"It was great to see so many families out together to enjoy the day, which was the true purpose of our event," said Cameron, adding the BIA knew local families would appreciate such an initiative.
So did the local merchants and restaurateurs, who opened their doors to crowds of shoppers on Ontario's new statutory holiday.
A new petting zoo in Kew Gardens turned out to be a big hit and magic and reptile shows at the nearby Beach United Church were packed to capacity.
Youngsters and the young-at-heart also enjoyed receiving hugs from the wolf, panda, elephant and rabbit mascots that roamed Queen Street East.
There were a couple of bumps along the 'icy' roads and sidewalks, Cameron said. Fire truck tours promised to families at the local firehall were also unexpectedly cancelled.
Some of the indoor shows were so popular that long lineups ensued. It also took quite a while to get your turn at having your face painted, he said, especially out in the cold.
"Even with all the hiccups we experienced during our inaugural Family Day Festival, it was a phenomenal success," said Cameron, thanking everyone who contributed to the festival.
"We managed to quickly pull together a fun-filled day with a variety of family entertainment on a limited budget, thanks to a dozen or so volunteers."