I like to think Mother Nature got the worst of the weather out of the way yesterday so we can all enjoy the sunshine this weekend at what is undoubtedly my favourite event of the year: Summer Celebration!
I started hosting our annual Summer Celebration with one simple goal: celebrating the amazing community we have here in Don Valley North. It is truly a privilege to represent you all at Toronto City Council. From the 401 up to Steeles, Bayview across to Victoria Park, every pocket of Don Valley North has something special to offer. While each of our neighbourhoods has its own unique flavour, as your Councillor I can vouch that they all have one important thing in common—residents who care deeply about their communities. And that’s why I want to celebrate you, the residents of Don Valley North. This event is a chance for all of us to come together and celebrate the wonderful part of Toronto we get to call home.
Last year’s Summer Celebration was a smash hit, and I know that this year’s will be even better. Of course, we’ll have our signature barbeque and ice cream truck, but we’re trying out a new system this year. When you arrive at Summer Celebration, you’ll see my bright pink tent front and centre where the Don Valley North team will sign you and your family in. Then, my team will give you tickets—one for the barbeque and one for the ice cream truck. This will help the lines flow as smoothly as possible and make it easier for us to know when we run out. Be sure to sign in right when you arrive to get your tickets! We also have a water trailer to make sure everyone stays hydrated throughout the event, so bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up.
We’re bringing back some favourite family activities, but bigger and better! We’ll have a fabulous new bouncy castle this year that fits right into the Summer Celebration theme, slide and all! We’ll also have music, face painting, and basketball programming in the community centre gym courtesy of the Ontario Basketball Association. There really is something for everyone to enjoy.
We also have over a dozen incredible community partners joining us at this year’s celebration. If you’re looking for fun, interactive events to enjoy all summer long, stop by the tables for Toronto Public Library, North York Arts, or Toronto Nature Stewards. If you want to connect with organizations that provide a wide variety of supports to our communities in North York, you can chat with North York Toronto Health Partners, North York Harvest Food Bank, Willowdale Community Legal Services, Working Women Community Centre, and North York Seniors Centre.
We’ve got great local and cultural groups you can connect with, including Advent Lutheran Church, the Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario, and Build a Better Fairview. We’ll also be joined by our local TDSB Trustee James Li and our local MP Han Dong.
Partway through the event, Toronto Fire Services will pull up in a shiny red fire engine to share some resources with the community. Our local Toronto Police Division 33 will have a couple of police cruisers on site, along with our Neighbourhood Community Officers. The City will also have a handful of tables set up with representatives from divisions like 311 and Solid Waste Management. These are great places to stop by and chat if you have questions about City services. If you’ve recently arrived to Canada, you can also chat with the Toronto Newcomer Office to access resources on education, employment, healthcare, housing and more.
Whether you’re a young family who’s just settled into a new home in Don Valley North, or a senior who’s lived here for decades, there will be so much for you to enjoy at Summer Celebration. We’ll be at Oriole Community Centre (2975 Don Mills Rd W) from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, so be sure to come out and enjoy free food, activities, and helpful services right in your own backyard. I can’t wait to see you there!