The federal government will be providing $100,000 in funding to support the return of Taste of the Danforth, according to a Danforth Business Improvement Area announcement Wednesday. The festival is set to run from Friday, Aug. 7, to Sunday, Aug. 9., along Danforth Avenue between Broadview and Jones avenues, marking its return to Toronto after a two-year hiatus. “For the first time in the festival’s history, all three orders of government are standing together behind an event that has grown from a neighbourhood initiative created by Greek immigrants into Canada’s largest street festival and one of the country’s most iconic cultural celebrations,” the release said. The federal funding was provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage. In a statement, Marc Miller, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, said they are looking forward to the return of festival. “The Taste of the Danforth festival brings people together to celebrate the cultures, traditions and experiences that make Canada such a diverse and welcoming country. We are proud to support events that reflect the many communities that shape our country, contribute to the vitality of our local economies and help make Canada stronger. “We look forward to the return of the Taste of the Danforth in Toronto.” In June, the provincial government announced it would provide $200,000 in support, matched by the City of Toronto. In 2023, the festival said it was cancelling the 2024 event because of a nearly $250,000 shortfall as funding constraints mounted. The festival was also not held in 2025. The BIA has not officially said why there was no festival that year. According to the BIA, the event is expected to attract up to 1.5 million attendees, the festival first began in 1994. “The Government of Canada’s participation is also a strong vote of confidence in Canada’s main streets and the independent businesses that bring them to life,” the release said. With files from CTV News/CP24’s Bryann Aguilar and Joanna Lavoie
