Taste of the Danforth cancelled despite attempt to save beloved Toronto festival

Organizers of the Taste of the Danforth tried to salvage the popular Toronto festival earlier this year after being suspended, but it appears it will be coming to an end.

The decision to scrap the longtime event was made during the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA‘s annual general meeting Tuesday evening.

Chris Christodoulou with Soulas Modern Greek Cuisine on Danforth Avenue called the decision “a shock.”

“Not having it again is like losing a piece of your history, of your culture, as an area in the Danforth Greektown,” he told CityNews Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s very unfortunate they had to cancel it because of financial problems.”

According to a report by The Toronto Star, it said BIA members rejected increasing annual levies by close to 20 per cent in order to hold an event in 2024. That raised concerns about affordability for business operators. The need to raise money was attributed to a drop in fundraising and sponsorships in 2023.

A statement from the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA sent to CityNews Thursday morning after publication of this story said members will need to pay a two-per-cent levy increase in 2024. It added with a loss of $257,000 from the 2023 event, “further discussion will take place to better understand” if the festival can return.

In light of the $257,000 loss in 2023, further discussion will take place to better understand if we can host Taste of the Danforth in 2024. The BIA would need to fundraise and secure new title sponsorship in order to continue in 2024 as the levy no longer covers the festival, and many of our small business members cannot shoulder a significant levy increase.

RELATED: Taste of the Danforth returns to Greektown for first time since 2019

“The levy no longer covers the festival, and many of our small business members cannot shoulder a significant levy increase,” the statement said.

Christodoulou said consideration should be given for the City of Toronto to contribute towards the cost since the event brings a large turnout.

Coun. Paula Fletcher told The Toronto Star she was hopeful the event could be resurrected and the decision could be reconsidered.

CityNews contacted Fletcher’s office for comment, but a response wasn’t received as of Thursday morning.

In 2022, BIA members cited streetscape challenges, issues adapting to CaféTO patio installations and bike lanes in their decision to suspend that year’s event.

They went on to say the decision was also made after uncertainty during the previous winter over potential COVID-19 public health-related measures would allow for the festival to go ahead.

In 2023, the event returned to Danforth Avenue after planning was delayed.

The organization reported past festivals have attracted up to 1.6 million people throughout the weekend it is held. The first event was held in 1994.