What to expect at Toronto’s largest food and travel festival

Got plans this weekend? If they don’t involve checking out this massive festival in Toronto, you may want to rejig.

Kicking off Saturday, Island Eats Food & Travel Festival will take over Mel Lastman Square for a weekend of Caribbean delicacies and live music.

“Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a music lover or someone looking to learn more about Caribbean destinations, this festival offers something for everyone,” Tracey Mannette, media relations at the festival, tells Toronto.com.

Known as Toronto’s largest island food and travel show, there will be three dozen food vendors at the festival this year. Here’s a sneak peek at what Caribbean eats will be on the menu from Mannette:

• Jamaican Jerk Chicken
• Trinidadian Doubles
• Grenadian Oil Down
• Barbadian Flying Fish
• St. Lucian Green Fig and Saltfish
• Antiguan Fungee and Pepperpot

With the festival now in its second year, there will also be an “exciting array” of Caribbean mocktails and cocktails at the Breeze and Brews Bar, Mannette adds.

But the festival isn’t just a “culinary event,” it’s a celebration of Caribbean culture and community with performances by local and international DJs, musicians and dance troupes.

While you’re there, you will have the opportunity to feast your eyes on costumed masqueraders, stilt walkers, dancers in traditional costumes, fire-eating, steel orchestras, tassa drumming and “many other surprises,” Mannette says.

If you’re curious about the Caribbean, there will also be official representatives from the islands at the festival to offer insight into travel options and destinations.

And don’t worry about hunting for a ticket to the celebration; admission is free.

“It’s an accessible opportunity for families and individuals to explore the rich flavours, sounds and traditions of the islands,” Mannette says.

Island Eats is produced by the Caribbean Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on “promoting equity and creating opportunities in business, employment, education, arts and economic growth for members of the Caribbean diaspora,” according to the festival’s website. Proceeds from the celebration will go towards supporting their mission.

The festival runs from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at 5100 Yonge St.

If you’re looking to fill your weekend with more than one celebration, DESIFEST, Canada’s “largest South Asian music festival” will be taking place on June 14 at Sankofa Square from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Taste of Little Italy, one of Toronto’s “most anticipated” summer street festivals, will also run from June 13 to 15 on College Street between Bathurst Street and Shaw Street. 

Now go enjoy the fun festivities our lovely city has to offer!