Polish and Ukrainian Festivals Celebrate Toronto’s West End This Weekend
Roncesvalles Avenue and Bloor West Village will be busy with Polish and Ukrainian celebrations this weekend, while fundraising runs, arts events and neighbourhood festivals fill the rest of Toronto. Large crowds are expected from Friday through Sunday, along with road and transit disruptions. The Roncesvalles Polish Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary on Roncesvalles Avenue between Dundas and Queen streets. Described as North America’s largest Polish cultural celebration, the festival will feature Polish music, pierogis and other food, four stages hosting 40 performances, 90 vendors and 150 local businesses. Two family zones will offer rides and children’s activities. Hours are Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Toronto Ukrainian Festival enters its 31st year in Bloor West Village, with Ukrainian folk and contemporary music, food, crafts, and embroidery, woodcarving and pottery demonstrations. It starts Friday at 5 p.m. and continues through Sunday. The Terry Fox Run, Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Walk, free CAMH Pow Wow, Pape Village Block Party, Queen West Art Crawl and new Public Pier waterfront festival are also on the weekend calendar. Line 1 subway service will be suspended between College and St. Clair stations on Sept. 19 and 20, with shuttle buses replacing trains, while GO Transit will have no service between Downsview Park GO and Union Station. Bloor Street will close from Jane Street to Runnymede Road from 9 a.m. Friday until 11:59 p.m. Sunday for the Ukrainian Festival.
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