Celebrate Toronto’s revitalized waterfront at Party on the Promenade, June 19-21

(News Release)

Toronto, Ontario – May 27, 2015 – Visitors and residents of Toronto are invited to join The Waterfront BIA for their Party on the Promenade at the Redpath Waterfront Festival from June 19-21, 2015.

Come celebrate the launch of Toronto’s revitalized waterfront with parades, entertainment and activities along Queens Quay and the Martin Goodman Trail.

The refined waterfront includes a spectacular new pedestrian promenade and waterfront connection to the Martin Goodman Trail. Visit www.towaterfrontfest.com or www.waterfrontbia.com or call 416-596-9821 for more information.

 

Ultimutts Stunt Dog tricks

“The Waterfront BIA’s Party on the Promenade at the Redpath Waterfront Festival is the perfect way to celebrate the launch of Toronto's revitalized Queens Quay,” states Kevin Currie, Chair of The Waterfront BIA. “Join us for the weekend long celebration and experience Toronto’s waterfront!”

The festivities begin on Friday, June 19 with a public ribbon cutting ceremony like no other hosted by Waterfront Toronto, followed by the Waterfront Community People’s Parade along Queens Quay and an Opening Celebration in HTO Park East. Everyone is invited to join in the two kilometre community parade for the Friday evening celebration and grand opening launch of Toronto’s revitalized waterfront.

The Waterfront Community People’s Parade kicks off from Sherbourne Common with Shadowland Theatre and the explosive, high energy Samba Elégua Percussion Band and finishes at HTO Park East for the Grand Opening Show featuring Samba Elégua, Blake McGrath, Ultimutts Stunt Dogs, Jean Marc Généreux, Alakazam and The Next Step.

The Party on the Promenade will continue throughout the weekend with pop-up entertainment pods of live music and dance, Art on the Water, and professional buskers from Bay to Spadina.

Make it to the Waterfront Artisan Market!

Browse or buy at the Waterfront Artisan Market at HTO Park East, where finely crafted jewellery, one-of-a-kind gifts and works of art, scrumptious baked goods and fragrant body products are on offer all weekend long. There will be an eclectic collection of unique vendors including Cris Cacioppo Pottery, stained glass artist Anna Ruttan, Yo Sox, Ella’s Botanicals, mixed media artist Josee Duranleau, jewellery by Marmalade, Sprucewood Handmade Cookie Co. and much more!

Party on the Promenade schedule:

Friday, June 19 – Party on the Promenade – 6pm-10pm

6pm-6:45pm                  Official Opening of Queens Quay hosted by Waterfront Toronto and government partners (Simcoe WaveDeck)

6pm-10pm                    Buskers, musicians, Art on the Water, Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), Waterfront Singing Ambassadors performances (Award-winning program), Yoga, Swing/Jive demos (WaveDecks), Waterfront Artisan Market, canoe rides, voyageur encampment & craft workshops with Canoe Toronto (HTO Park East)

8:00pm-9pm                  The Waterfront Community People’s Parade begins at Sherbourne Common with Shadowland Theatre and Samba Elégua Percussion Band and finishes at HTO Park East.

Friday, June 19 – Party on the Promenade Opening Show – HTO Park East – 9pm-10pm

9:05pm-9:15pm             Samba Elégua Percussion Band performance

9:15pm-9:22pm             Introduction from John Campbell, Waterfront Toronto and other dignitaries

9:22pm-9:26pm             Swing Shift Big Band

9:26pm-9:30pm             Blake McGrath performance

9:30pm-9:35pm             Ultimutts Stunt Dog tricks

9:35pm-9:39pm             Jean Marc Généreux appearance

9:39pm-9:45pm             International performance athlete Alakazam

9:45pm-9:50pm             Trevor Tordjman and some of The Next Step crew performance

Saturday, June 20 – Party on the Promenade – 12pm-10pm

12pm-10pm                   Buskers, musicians, Latin dance demos (WaveDecks)

                                    Toronto Island SUP Yoga & Intro to SUP (Spadina WaveDeck)

                                    Toronto School of Art, Live Art on the Water (Rees WaveDeck)

Waterfront Artisan Market; canoe rides, voyageur encampment and craft workshops with Canoe Toronto (HTO Park East)

12:30pm-1:30pm           Purina PawsWay Pet Parade (Martin Goodman Trail)

4:30pm-5pm                  newchoir performance (Simcoe WaveDeck)

Sunday, June 21 – Party on the Promenade – 12pm-7pm

12pm-7pm                    Buskers, musicians, hip-hop dance demos (WaveDecks)

            Toronto Island SUP Yoga & Intro to SUP (Spadina WaveDeck)

                                    Toronto School of Art, Live Art on the Water (Rees WaveDeck)

            Waterfront Artisan Market; canoe rides, voyageur encampment and craft workshops        with Canoe Toronto (HTO Park East)

2pm-2:30pm                  newchoir performance (Simcoe WaveDeck)

2pm-3pm                      PWA Bike Rally leads a Pride Ride from the Yonge-Wellesley Village to the

            Martin Goodman Trail ending at the Sweetness Pride Beach Party (Sugar Beach)

3pm-3:45pm                  Samba Elégua Percussion Band performance (Simcoe WaveDeck)

The Redpath Waterfront Festival Operating Hours:

Friday, June 19                         6pm-10pm

Saturday, June 20         12pm-10pm

Sunday, June 21           12pm-7pm

Scheduling and times are subject to change.

About The Waterfront BIA:

The Waterfront Business Improvement Area (WBIA) is the voice of the business community. Toronto’s WBIA is a community-driven organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the economic and cultural vitality of the waterfront area. The WBIA welcomes 17 million visitors annually with a service area population of 57,121 and growing rapidly. 68% are under the age of 45 and average household income is $118,924. Unlike most Toronto BIAs, the waterfront is both a destination and a tourist attraction. It is committed to improving and promoting the waterfront area through investment and advocacy to maintain its position as one of Toronto’s premier shopping, business, entertainment and tourist destinations. Annual programs include Family Day, Doors/Gangways Open, Redpath Waterfront Festival, Singing Ambassadors and Winterfest on Toronto's Waterfront. The Waterfront BIA has been the proud recipient of the TABIA Marketing Award 2011, 2013 and 2014. For more information, visit www.waterfrontbia.com.

About The Redpath Waterfront Festival:

The Redpath Waterfront Festival, in partnership with The Waterfront BIA is an annual summer event that provides on-land and on-water programming for people of all ages and interests with the goal of promoting Toronto locally and internationally as a premiere waterfront destination. With music, food, nautical programs and entertainment, the Festival has something for everyone to enjoy. Every three years the event welcomes a fleet of majestic TALL SHIPS^® to Toronto. www.towaterfrontfest.com

Festival partners include Redpath Sugar, The Waterfront BIA, PortsToronto, RBC, Purina PawsWay, Waterfront Toronto, CTV, and the Toronto Star, among others. The Festival is proud to recognize Harbourfront Community Centre as its 2015 charity partner.

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