Party on the Promenade – Toronto – June 19-21, 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 end of construction and the launch of Toronto’s revitalized Queens Quay Boulevard with parades, entertainment and activities along Queens Quay and the Martin Goodman Trail.  The new main waterfront street includes a spectacular new pedestrian promenade and waterfront connection to the Martin Goodman Trail.

Visit www.towaterfrontfest.com or www.waterfrontbia.com or call 416-596-9821for more information.

“From its inaugural event in 2010, to one that currently attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, the Redpath Waterfront Festival is the perfect event to help us celebrate the launch of Toronto’s revitalized Queens Quay Boulevard,” states Kevin Currie, Chair of The Waterfront BIA.

The festivities begin on Friday, June 19 with a public ribbon cutting ceremony like no other hosted by Waterfront Toronto, followed by a parade along Queens Quay Boulevard and an Opening Celebration in HTO Park East. Everyone is invited to join in a 2 km community parade for the Friday evening celebration and grand opening launch of Toronto’s revitalized waterfront.

The east end Community Waterfront Parade led by Shadowland Theatre will begin from Sherbourne Common and walk towards HTO Park East, as the west end Community Waterfront Parade, led by Samba Elégua percussion band, begins from Spadina Wave Deck and walks east. The Parades will end at HTO Park East for the Opening Show featuring performances by Samba Elégua, Blake McGrath, Jean Marc Généreux, Alakazam, and grand finalepyro display.

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

WATERFRONT ARTISAN MARKET:

The Waterfront Artisan Market showcases local designers, chefs, bakers and makers to inspire our City and highlight its culture and will be located in the central hub of the Redpath Waterfront Festival in HTO Park East and the new Queens Quay Boulevard.

PARTY ON THE PROMENADE SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 – PARTY ON THE PROMENADE – 6pm-9pm

6pm-7pm          Official Opening of Queens Quay hosted by Waterfront Toronto and government partners (Simcoe Wave Deck)

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

8:15pm-9pm     East end Community Waterfront Parade led by Shadowland Theatre from Sherbourne Common to HTO Park East

8:45pm-9pm     West end Community Waterfront Parade led by Samba Elégua percussion band from Spadina Wave Deck to HTO Park East

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 – PARTY ON THE PROMENADE OPENING SHOW – HTO PARK – 9pm-10pm

9:00pm             Samba Elégua performance

9:15pm             Intro from John Campbell, President & CEO, Waterfront Toronto and other dignitaries

9:26pm             Blake McGrath performance

9:35pm             Jean Marc Généreux introduces Saturday dance program

9:39pm             Alakazam busker performance

9:50pm             Grand Finale

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 – PARTY ON THE PROMENADE – 12pm-10pm

12pm-10pm      Buskers, musicians, Latin dance demos (various wave decks)

Toronto Island SUP Yoga & Intro to SUP (Spadina Wave Deck)

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

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

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

6pm-6:30pm     newchoir performance (Simcoe Wave Deck)

SUNDAY, JUNE 21 – PARTY ON THE PROMENADE – 12pm-7pm

12pm-7pm        Buskers, musicians, hip-hop dance demos (various wave decks)

Toronto Island SUP Yoga & Intro to SUP (Spadina Wave Deck)

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

Waterfront Artisan Market; canoe rides, voyageur encampment & craft workshops with

Canoe Toronto (HTO Park East)

2pm-2:30pm     newchoir performance (Simcoe Wave Deck)

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 performance (Simcoe Wave Deck)

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