Saturday 22 July 2017

OSSFEST 2017, Toronto, ON

OSSFEST was today ... Ossington Avenue was closed from Dundas Street W to Queen Street W for this festival.

Back for a second year – OSSFEST 2017! This year, Ossington Avenue, between Queen and Dundas Street West, will be transformed with all the things that memorable summer weekends in the city are made of: shopping, dancing, live music, patios, eating, drinking and being merry. 

With #FREE entrance throughout the entire strip, start the day off with the OSSCRIT international urban bike race, then enjoy two live music stages, a silkscreen workshop, basketball training, a fun-filled kid zone, giveaways and exclusive access to experiences you wouldn’t get anywhere else in Toronto.

It was in our 'hood so I thought I'd check it out.  I got there about 3pm.  Many of the vendors from Ossington Avenue had booths on the street.

I entered from Queen Street W (the south end)
There was a bit of a line-up for ice cream at Bang Bang
Bellwoods Brewery's patio was jammed and there was a line-up
You could play games and win chocolate
They were giving out free bags
Near the north end of the festival (at Dundas Street W)
Looking south from the north end of the festival
I watched the bands for a few hours (they started on the hour) ...
I first saw The Reposadists, who were jazzy
The Tonkas played blues and were really good
"Drum" solo!
Gord arrived looking cool!
Kunle, who played West African music
Park Eddy, who played rock

Gord and I went for a stroll and had supper at The Federal (west of the festival).  We walked back through the festival on our way home afterwards.

Superkickd had a wrestling ring set up ...
it was hokey but fun to watch
Street fight!
The "good guy" won!
The line-up for ice cream was longer than earlier at Bang Bang
At the south entrance of the festival (Queen Street W)

It was fun to walk around and watch the bands.  It wasn't crazy crowded as other street festivals are.  I'll check it out again next year.

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