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Rivertowne Summer BBQ 2026 Highlights

What a turnout at this year’s Rivertowne Summer BBQ! From free-flowing BBQ to fun sports to  awesome prizes, the annual community BBQ held last Saturday at Riverside’s Joel Weeks Park was undoubtedly a smokin’ good time!

Shout out to the co-organizers, sponsors and supporters of the Rivertowne Summer BBQ 2026:

  • WoodGreen Community Services & Choice Properties for their generosity in donating almost 200 fully loaded backpacks for local students!
  • Toronto Community Housing Corporation
  • City of Toronto
  • Rivertowne Community Volunteers
  • The Riverside BIA
  • The Ralph Thornton Community Centre & Rivertowne Nutrition Reserve
  • il Ponte Cucina for providing an Ice Cream Truck
  • Sport Chek for prizes awarded through the day
  • King Catering for BBQ food and service
  • Toronto Police Services and Toronto Fire
  • The Queen/Saulter Library Branch and Riverdale Branch of Toronto Public Library
  • DJ Negus and Dragon i Sound Crew
  • Our fantastic Barbers, Hairdresser, Face painters, Henna and Cotton Candy and other vendors who are here today
    *everyone who we missed who could or couldn’t be there!

Of course, a huge thank you to all of you who came out and spent your Saturday with us. ‘Til the next BBQ!

In case you missed it, here’s a recap — hot off the grill — of this year’s Rivertowne Summer BBQ!

We were blessed with nice summer weather during the BBQ — and look at that turnout!

Check out the amazing spread of food prepared by King Catering

Kids enjoyed bracelet making at Ralph Thornton Community Centre’s booth

 Talented barbers and hairdressers were also there to give guests a summer makeover

WoodGreen Community Services and Choice Properties gave away backpacks filled with school essentials to students

Free kids’ activities included henna, face painting, bouncy castle and more

Riverside BIA member Il Ponte sponsored an ice cream truck for the community BBQ

Artist Pamela Schuller brought the Story Stick Project to Riverside

Young athletes enjoyed drop-in sessions of basketball facilitated by Toronto Youth Recreation

Toronto Fire Services stopped by to give guests a tour of the iconic fire truck

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates on exciting programming and community events happening in the neighbourhood!

Photos by Riverside BIA

Caribbean Street Food Festival 2026: What’s Happening This Year

The Caribbean Street Food Festival is back in Riverside! Join us on Sunday, August 30th from 11am-7pm at Riverside Common Park (657 Queen St E) for a day of delicious food, fun activities and amazing island vibes!

This free public event is hosted by JamaicanEats Magazine/Passport to Caribbean Food and the Riverside BIA.

Who’s excited? Here’s a preview of some of the delicious food vendors + fun activities at this year’s Caribbean Street Food Festival (plus, some important reminders!):

Food Vendors

Photo credit: Pattoa Foods

Pattoa Foods (@pattoafoods)

Plant-based meal prep service

Photo credit: Spice Isle

Spice Isle (@spiceislecraftchocolate)

Locally crafted dark chocolate made with Grenadian cocoa beans

Photo credit: Cake for Dinner

Cake for Dinner (@cakefordinnerca)

Specialty Jamaican desserts

Photo credit: Basso’s Bajan Cuisine

Basso’s Bajan Cuisine (@bassos_bajan_cuisine)

Delicious homecooked Bajan food

Photo credit: Kungwaani’s

Kungwaani’s (@kungwaanis)

African and Caribbean-inspired pepper sauces

Activities

Jeopardy

Put your knowledge on Caribbean history and culture to the test and play a fun Caribbean version of Jeopardy: preliminary round at 12-12:30pm and then the championship round at 1-1:30pm!

Family Feud: Island vs Island

Pick an island, form a team of three, represent an island (whether you’re from the Caribbean or simply love the culture). Family Feud: Island vs Island is happening from 5-5:30pm.

Love Gains 

From 5-7pm, couples battle it out for prizes in Love Gains, Caribbean-style!

The Great Debate

“Does sugar belong in rice & peas?” The Jamaican says that’s a travesty! The Trini says there’s nothing wrong with sweetening up the pot. Who’s right? That’s where YOU come in. Cheer on your side, help decide the winner, and maybe even walk away with a prize. The Great Debate is happening from 1:30-2pm.

And more!

Join the drumming circle (2-3:30pm) and steel pan session (3:30-5:30pm); dance it out with the Connector (12:30-1pm and 2-2:30pm); play games like dominoes and Ludo/Ludi; and spin the wheel to win prizes — prize draws will be done throughout the day!

Getting Ready for the Caribbean Street Food Festival 

Make a plan.

If there’s a game or activity you want to join like Family Feud or Love Gains, make sure to register beforehand by sending an email to caribbeanfoodguide@gmail.com. Also, be sure to check the official event schedule below so you don’t miss any of the fun activities!

RVSP to the event. 

Get your free tickets to the Caribbean Street Food Festival and let us know you’re coming by clicking on the RSVP button below. You’ll get event details straight to your inbox.

Don’t forget to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always updated on exciting events in the neighbourhood. See you all on August 30th!

Start The New School Year Right with Riverside

Classes are almost back in session! The new school year is always an exciting time, whether you’re going to a new school, meeting new classmates or entering a pivotal time in your academic life. The excitement also comes with a certain level of stress as we prepare for another year of hitting the books. With that said, here are 5 tips to help you get ready for the new school year, featuring businesses in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood:

Photo credit: Happy Burger

Look for budget-friendly eats in the area.

As a student on a budget, it’s essential to know where you can get something cheap but filling on days when you don’t have time to cook or prepare lunch. You can always count on places like Jimmy’s Coffee, Happy Burger and the locally-owned Tim Hortons in Riverside to have affordable options and deals.

Photo credit: Little Peeps

Shop for essentials in advance.

Get ahead of the crowd and work on your shopping list before classes even start. Check Riverside’s neighbourhood Dollarama for school supplies at unbeatable prices; Riverside Market for pantry items like fresh produce and snacks; Dresden Vision and Bailey Nelson for new specs; and of course, Little Peeps for back-to-school essentials like lunch boxes, water bottles and utensil sets.

Photo credit: The Vintage Hall

Update your wardrobe.

New school year, new outfits? If you want to refresh your personal style a bit, peruse Riverside’s ever-growing community of independent vintage clothing shops, including The Vintage Hall, Common Sort and St. John Eco Market. Here, you can give unique, secondhand pieces a new lease on life — all while looking chic for school!

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Take advantage of your library card.

Aside from access to a wealth of books, your Toronto Public Library card also gives you free admission to popular city attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Museum of Contemporary Art and more. Drop by the Queen/Saulter branch at 765 Queen St E to inquire.

Photo credit: Somanai Energy Lounge

Treat yourself to a little TLC.

Parents and guardians deserve to pamper themselves before the school rush starts! Feeling your best makes all the difference. So if your self-care means an infrared treatment at Somanai Energy Lounge, a blowout from UNTITLED by Flaunt Boutique or a massage from Oma Chiropractic, book that appointment!

Good luck to all the students and we hope you have a great school year!

If you like lifestyle content highlighting Riverside like this, be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check out the Riverside Blog regularly!

What’s New in Riverside? (Summer 2026 Edition)

If you live in the area or frequently visit it, you’d know that Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood is home to many businesses that have stood the test of time. But change is also always in the air and we get new additions in the community on the regular. In case you haven’t been to the neighbourhood in a little while, here’s what’s new in Riverside:

Photo credit: Archie’s

Archie’s (@archiestoronto)

Address: 106 Broadview Ave

Located inside The Broadview Hotel, Archie’s is your new hangout in the East End, perfect for after-work drinks with colleagues or dinner dates with your besties. Must-try items on the menu include the Archie’s Smash, Three-Cheese Spinach Dip and Steak Pot Pie. Make a reservation HERE.

Photo credit: Spotlight Dance Arts

Spotlight Dance Arts (@spotlight_dance_arts)

Address: 2 Strange St

Spotlight Dance Arts offers dance classes for children aged two to teens. The dance studio aims to instill a lifelong love of movement in the youth through fun and engaging dance classes in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, just to name a few. Dance season kicks off in September! Sign up for classes HERE.

Photo credit: Bailey Nelson

Bailey Nelson (@baileynelsonca)

Address: 747 Queen St E – Unit 102

The Australian eyewear brand has found a home in Riverside! Bailey Nelson offers stylish, affordable prescription glasses and sunglasses. The brand offers both quality craftsmanship and accessible pricing. Book an appointment at Bailey Nelson – Riverside HERE.

Photo credit: Glass House Garden Centre & Cafe

Glass House Garden Centre & Cafe (@glasshousecafe.to)

Address: 771 Queen St E

Glass House carries a wide assortment of plants for all the green thumbs out there. You can also just pop by the cafe for a hand-crafted drink and pastry and enjoy it on the dog-friendly patio. 

BLOG: Dog-Friendly Businesses in Riverside: Where to Go With Your Pup

Photo credit: Somanai Energy Lounge

Somanai Energy Lounge (@somanaienergylounge)

Address: 717 Queen St E – Unit 201

Somanai Energy Lounge introduces a new kind of wellness experience to Riverside. It is a dedicated space where advanced recovery technologies meet intentional mind-body restoration. Services include facials, infrared light, oxygen treatment, and more. Book your session HERE.

Photo credit: Knick Knack Paddywhack

Knick Knack Paddywhack (@knickknackpaddywhackdogs)

Address: 768 Queen St E

Knick Knack Paddywhack is your one-stop shop for pet supplies in Riverside. The store offers an extensive but thoughtfully curated selection of products, from natural food options and supplements to apparel and accessories. If you can’t shop in-store, you can order online from Knick Knack Paddywhack as well!

Photo credit: Red Copper Nail Artistry

Red Copper Nail Artistry (@redcopper.to)

Address: 741 Queen St E

Whether you like it clean and minimalist or more bold and intricate, Red Copper Nail Artistry makes the nails of your dreams come true with precision and attention to detail. Book your appointment HERE.

Photo credit: Elvira’s/Instagram user @joeharm

Elvira’s (@elviras.to)

Address: 639 Queen St E – Rear

Operating out of a bright red shipping container behind 639 Queen St E, Elvira’s is one of Riverside’s hidden gems. This charming food joint serves comforting Portuguese fare, including the viral Francesinha, which is a hefty Portuguese sandwich packed with meat and smothered in a rich sauce.

BLOG: Hidden Gems of Riverside: Local Spots Worth the Detour

Photo credit: Oorja Danceworks Studio

Oorja Danceworks Studio (@oorjadanceworks_)

Address: 717 Queen St E – Unit 202A

Welcome to Toronto’s home for South Asian dance. Oorja Danceworks Studio offers dance classes in Bollywood, Kathak, semi-classical and contemporary styles for all ages, backgrounds and levels. The studio also does wedding choreography and costume rentals. Learn more about the classes HERE.

To stay updated on what’s new and happening in Riverside, make sure to check @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog regularly!

Afraspektion 2026 Highlights

From amazing vendors to incredible performances, Afraspektion 2026 was a blast! This was its fifth year, and a huge thank you to everyone who continued to show up and support!

Oddside Arts and the Riverside BIA would like to thank all of you who attended this year’s festival to celebrate the Afrodiaspora’s contributions to culture and to commemorate Emancipation Month with the Riverside community.

We would also like to recognize the funding support that helped make this possible: thanks to the City of Toronto’s Cultural Festival Funding Program, Hullmark, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and the Government of Canada Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative and the Riverside BIA.

In case you missed it, here’s a recap of some of the increadible programming of Afraspektion 2026. See you all again next year!

Oddside Arts’s Nico Taylor and Queen Kukoyi kicked off Afraspektion with opening remarks

Rev. Kemba Byam blessed the space with a special libation

Drag meets science in Dr. Rawbyn Diamonds’ special interactive performance for the festival

Cool prizes were up for grabs in a game of Superhero Pictionary with cosplayers WonderWoman905, TrinidadianSuga and CeeeMarie

Visitors were invited to join in on a live drumming session with Babarinde “Baba” Williams

DJ Ace Dillinger brought the beats to Afraspektion

Several local businesses showcased their products at Afraspektion, including Hook and Peel Crochet

Chef Lee gave us a peek of the magic that happens in his kitchen with a live cooking demo

Guests witnessed ballroom excellence and took part in fun activities, courtesy of The House of Monroe

The Moko Jumbie Stiltwalkers looked whimsical during their performance

Kids got to enjoy many fun free activities such as face painting and community doodle

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates on exciting programming and community events happening in the neighbourhood!