I’ve been searching high and low for some information on my favourite summer festival – the Yonge Street Festival – and I just found out that someone has made the decision to wipe it off Toronto’s agenda. The nebulous reason is that someone, in their infinite wisdom, has decided that Toronto has too many summer festivals. What kind of a reason is that? The Yonge Street Festival is probably the only one that appeals to everyone – children adults, seniors, men, and women. It is not dedicated to promoting any particular cause, ethnic group, entertainment genre, or religion.

For an entire weekend, Yonge Street at the intersections of Dundas, St. Clair, Eglinton, and Lawrence were closed off to traffic and everyone in their respective neighbourhoods came out to mix, mingle, eat, drink, and enjoy the entertainment. And, we wandered up and down the street visiting other festival sites. The mood was fabulous and the entertainment was great. But I suppose the festival was doomed because there was no special interest group lobbying for its continued existence. And there was no special occasion to celebrate, a big parade, or fireworks.

Last year over 1 million Torontonians came out for the 8^th annual Yonge Street Festival. I only have one question. After what could only be considered a success, why couldn’t it have continued?