Krinos Taste of the Danforth 2016

TORONTO, August 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Festival welcomes 1.65 million attendees  

The Greek Gods smiled on the 23rd anniversary of the Krinos Taste of the Danforth. The sun was out all weekend -- and so were the crowds. Over 1.65 million people attended the Festival.

The Greater Toronto Area lays claim to more than 200,000 residents of Greek ancestry, the third largest Hellenic community outside of Greece. At the Festival, visitors both Greek and non-Greek, had the opportunity to experience being 'Greek for the Day'. Over the last eight years, the Chair, Mr. Voidonicolas, and his Board of Directors, through countless hours of volunteer work, have increased attendance dramatically to the 1.65 million attendees.

This year the Festival introduced an 'It's All Greek to Me!' program to supplement the existing Greek Stage, which featured leading Greek singers, dancers and musicians, as well as the Celebrity Stage that featured Greek superstars.

The four new activities were some of the most popular at the event and included Breaking Plates, The Goddess Artemis Archery Arena, The Valley of the Gods!, and Let's Dance.

a.    Breaking Plates - In 1969 the Greek government banned the throwing of plates at Greek restaurants and bars. This popular tradition was reintroduced at the Festival as attendees were given the opportunity to express their 'kefi'. Individuals were able to write the name of an individual or something that was making them really angry on their plate and then toss it into a fireplace.

b.    The Goddess Artemis Archery Arena - Before there was the "Hunger Games", and before there was the "Green Arrow" - there was Artemis, the Greek God Apollo's twin sister. She was the Goddess of the Hunt, always depicted carrying a bow and arrow. Individuals had the ability to either learn or display their skills on the archery range.

c.    The Valley of the Gods - Attendees had the opportunity to wander through the Valley of the Gods. Which of these Greek Gods are human models? Which are statues? Which are supernatural? Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, and Aphrodite human statues were available to be part of a Greek photographic experience.

d.    Let's Dance - Dance like Zorba. Our friendly Greek instructors taught attendees traditional Greek Dances.

Constantine Voidonicolas, Chair of the Board of Management of the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA stated, "The Taste of the Danforth is the biggest Greek Festival in the world. We celebrate Greek food, music, dance and hospitality. Everyone who visits gets to be "Greek for a day". We also encourage tourism to Greece; we give away 5 trips to Greece as part of our promotional programs." The Opening Ceremonies were attended by a number of political dignitaries, including the Mayor of Toronto, John Tory. He commented that the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA was an example of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Toronto.