East York Mirror

For 19 years the Taste of the Danforth has been giving people the chance to be Greek for a weekend.

The annual festival takes over the western stretch of Danforth Avenue from Friday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 12 with more than a million people expected to descend on GreekTown for food, fun and more food.

The fun kicks off on the Friday night at 6 p.m. and runs until Sunday at 8 p.m.

There is a full slate of activities and entertainment on tap including the Celebrity Stage, the Sports Zone, the Kids’ Fun Zone, an archery experience, the Danforth Showcase Stage, the Greek Stage, contests, and food.

The Celebrity Stage features entertainment from Second City, Stage West, a stunt show, archery show, and a number of bands ranging from Cuban music to Greek pop to a capella.

The Danforth Showcase Stage features dancing and music with Madison Violet (Canadian Folk Music), Sarah Skinner and the Sisters of Salome (belly dancing), Santerias (world music), Swamperella (Cajun music), Satin Dolls (jazz music), and much more.

Galaxy Orchestra, Epohi, Michalitsa and Arkadia are a few of the acts who will grace the Greek Stage. There will also be an opportunity to learn Greek dancing,

The festival has grown to include more than just the best of Greek culture. There will be sports challenges, zombies, a stunt show, and a beer garden.

The Kids’ Fun Zone features The East York-Leaside-Riverdale Mirror Kids’ Activities Centre with contests, colouring and crafts and there will also be a touch table from the Toronto Zoo in the zone. There will be face painting at the “ParaNorman” Experience, which features themes from the upcoming kids’ movie.

The Sports Zone will include challenges created by Toronto’s professional sports teams. People can visit the Toronto Maple Leafs’ mobile dressing room or test their basketball skills with the Raptors; there will also be an opportunity to meet the Toronto Rock cheerleaders or have photos take with the Toronto Argos’ cheerleaders.

There will be an archery show and the chance for people to test their archery skills.

The festival also includes a host of exhibitors offering the chance to win prizes; there will be a chance to win a trip for two to Greece.

And, of course, there will be food of all kinds including Greek, Thai, Japanese and ice cream.

The Taste of the Danforth was started by the GreekTown on the Danforth Business Improvement Area to draw people to that stretch of Danforth Avenue; it quickly grew and has stayed a popular attraction. It has since grown to include the neighbouring area, the Danforth BIA,

The festival takes place on Danforth Avenue between Broadview and Jones avenues.

Visit www.tasteofthedanforth.com, for more information about the event.