On the second day of the highly anticipated street food festival, the Taste of the Danforth, thousands of attendees filled Danforth Avenue in Toronto's Greektown, accompanied by stringent security measures. The festival, a cultural staple in the community, returned after a two-year hiatus, inviting both locals and visitors to savor a rich array of flavors and experiences.
Festivalgoers enjoyed long lines at their favorite food stalls, indulging in dishes such as shawarma and spanakopita, while others gathered around stages to appreciate live music and dance performances. This year's festival integrated enhanced safety protocols, with Toronto police, fire and paramedic teams, and private security personnel conducting foot patrols along Danforth Avenue, particularly between Broadview and Jones Avenue.
Dadir Yusuf, who traveled from Oshawa, Ontario, with his girlfriend, Danielle Obispo, expressed a mix of nostalgia and concern. Having spent his childhood attending the festival in the neighborhood, he was excited to return but admitted the shooting incident at the Salsa on St. Clair last month left him feeling apprehensive about safety. "It was kind of scary to come here," Yusuf said, noting that the atmosphere seemed lively and inviting upon arrival. "Things happen in Toronto, right, and so, it's neither here nor there, but I feel safe." The couple planned to spend several hours enjoying the festivities.
Howard Litchman, a spokesperson for the festival, highlighted that more than 100 restaurants were participating, offering a variety of 24 different ethnic cuisines over the three-day event that commenced on Friday evening. Litchman stated, "So, you're going to be able to taste your way through the world." He reassured attendees that, while the festival has always prided itself on being safe and family-friendly, organizers had taken additional security measures this year. "We've upped the security, but not because we think there is a concern… we're just going to go the extra mile, so (it's) very safe to come here," he reported.
The comprehensive security plan was developed in collaboration with police, emergency services, and private security to ensure public safety. Litchman emphasized the importance of crowd control and logistics to enhance the experience for everyone present at the festival. "The plan's in place… it's taken care of," he affirmed.
In the wake of the tragic shooting, police vowed to increase security measures during major street festivals across the city. To address concerns regarding public safety, they announced that two 18-year-olds had been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in relation to the July 11 shooting that claimed two lives and injured five others.
Festivalgoer Shaleena Clements noted that despite her cautiousness in attending crowded events due to recent violent incidents, she was committed to enjoying the festival atmosphere. "It definitely crossed my mind today, just to be vigilant, and make sure I’m looking around to see if anything's happening – things I wouldn’t have normally thought about before," she reflected.
Another participant, Saqeeb Hassan, attended the festival due to his love for Greek food and did not share worries about safety. "When you live in a big city, I think if you look at overall statistics of how safe people are, I don’t think they have changed much because of that shooting, and overall, I do still feel safe," he commented. This sentiment resonated with fellow attendee Enzo Perez, who expressed confidence in Toronto's safety. "It is not nothing," he stated regarding the recent shooting, "But, you know, I don’t think it is worth avoiding such events just because this (shooting) happened recently."
The festival attracted patrons from outside the city as well, such as Erwin Smith, who drove from Midland, Ontario, to enjoy the event with friends. The group began their day with beverages, planning to indulge in Souvlaki and Shawarma among other bar stops, with intentions to revel in the festivities for several hours.
