The 48th Cabbagetown Forsythia Festival was blessed by Mother Nature this year with sunny skies and springtime temperatures.
As organizers, we couldn’t have asked for a better day weather wise but what really made our hearts sing after months of paperwork and preparation was to see close to 800 people out and dressed in their finest yellow welcoming Spring to our neighbourhood.
It was our pleasure to crown long time Cabbagetown residence Betty White and Stephen Strauss as our official King and Queen of the Festival, having them cut the parade ribbon with Mayor John Tory and our local MPP Suze Morisson. Big band music filled the air as participants followed The Heavy Weight Brass Band along the parade route ending at Wellesley Park where the activities commenced. The Human Hamster Run was a hit with the big kids, while the little kids enjoyed crafts, face paining and glitter tattoos. Handmade flower crowns were floating around all day on the heads of residents and the photobooth had a contestant steam of families and friends striking a pose. Residents eager to get their bikes on the road were treated to a bike inspection and the local Scout Troop treated us to a tent set up. Mark and his crew at Streak and Chops sold out of burgers and Erin and her team from Stout were more than prepared with libations to celebrate the nice weather. Over 500 doughnuts were consumed at the Dangling Doughnut station and people big and small enjoyed the magic of Scott Dietrich and “Sir Walken”. A new addition to the festival brought us photographer Melanie Gordon who delighted parents with 10min magical mini sessions portraits of their kids.
Its with our sincerest thanks and gratitude to all of the 100+ volunteers who helped with setting up/tearing/manning stations at the Forsythia Festival.
Our “little yellow festival” would not happen without our community sponsors and businesses who donate both financially and with product. The best way to thank our sponsors is by shopping and dining locally.
Signing off until next spring. Festival organizers, Carolyn Jarman and Shawna Pereira
#Thinkspring2020 #SundayMay3rd2020
Thank you so our Station Sponsors:
Steak n’ Chops – BBQ
Stout Irish Pub – Beer Tent
Pizza Pizza – Bouncy Castle
Melanie Gordon Photography – Mini Session Portraits
Buds and Blossoms – Glitter Tattoo Station
Blooming Flower Bar – Flower Crown Station
Cycle Solutions- Bike Check Station
Special Shout Out to:
Gina Dineen – Festival Emcee
Betty White and Stephen Strauss Festival King and Queen 2019