Go to the Polls for Fun on Saulter at Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest!

As part of the Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest, Ralph Thorton Community Center will be hosting ‘mock polls’ with fun themes in advance of  Election Day, including a kids vote! Plus Eat Your Way Through the Caribbean with fun & delicious cooking workshops inside the RTCC (registration required).

Riverside’s Annual Eats & Beats Streetfest is back – this year on Saturday June 2nd alongside the 20th annual Riverdale Artwalk. Taste the Eats and feel the Beats in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood! Riverside’s Streetfest spans 10 vibrant blocks along Queen Street East between the Don Valley Parkway to just past De Grassi Street.

>>>CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS & LET US KNOW YOU’RE COMING <<<<<

CHECK OUT THE EVENT GUIDE (PDF)

Take Part in the Ralph Thornton Community Centre’s Mock Polls on Saulter St:

As part of the Eats & Beats Streetfest this year the Ralph Thornton Community Center will be hosting a voting “dress rehearsal” in advance of June 7th the Provincial Election Day.  The mock “Polls” will be open from 1:00pm– 6pm, located in the festival’s Saulter street closure with a special “Kids Vote”, with results posted in the Centre afterwards.

Children can cast their ballots at the “Animal Party” pop-up voting booth on Saulter Street at the Ralph Thornton Community Centre. The “Dog Party,” the “Cat Party,” the “Lobster Party” and the “Dinosaur Party” will all be vying for seats in the Animal Legislature, with campaign posters, buttons, and flyers developed by children in the RTCC After School and Mentor Programs. Election results will be posted on social media and the RTCC website, and there just may be some social media campaigning prior to “Animal Election Day.” The polling area will also feature resources for adults preparing for the June 7 Provincial election day- this is a great chance for the whole family to ‘get your democracy on!’.

Eat Your Way Through the Caribbean – Inside the Ralph Thornton Community Centre:

During Riverside Eats & Beats – Riverside Meets the Caribbean at the RTCC and the Taste is…well…Irie! COOK. EAT. TAKE HOME. Tasty treats from Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad. From a Caribbean breakfast of Trinidadian bakes and Buljol; to Jamaican and Haitian patty; and jerk chicken and Trini doubles.Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking session from 1-5pm with a Master Caribbean chef on the 2nd Floor in the Betsy Swift Kitchen.

To Reserve your spot and pay, pls contact Grace at info@jamaicaneats.com – space is limited! Workshop details below:

First Workshop: 9:30 – 11AM CARIBBEAN BREAKFAST – Fee: $10/pp: Trinidadian Bakes and Buljol; Jamaican fried dumpling; ackee and saltfish; ripe plantain; Haitian accra; Jamaican saltfish dritters; Haitian and Jamaican hot chocolate

Second Workshop: 12-2pm – Fee: $20/pp: Jamaican patty; Haitian patty, including Pate Code; Jamaican coco bread; Haitian and Jamaican hot chocolate

Third Workshop: 3-5pm – Fee: $20/pp: Trinidadian doubles; jerk chicken; Haitian beignet; rice an’ peas; Haitian and Jamaican hot chocolate

Jamaican Fried Dumplings

More About the Ralph Thornton Community Center:

The Ralph Thornton Community Center is a City owned, community managed facility which offers space, support, and service to many community organizations and partners.  RTCC is where neighbours meet, events are celebrated, programs are enjoyed, and support is exchanged. RTCC shares the historic Post Office building at 765 Queen St. East with partner tenants the Queen/Saulter branch of Toronto Public Library and the South Riverdale Child Parent Centre.

The Centre is named after Ralph Thornton, a devoted community leader and activist, was born in Toronto in 1905 and died in September 1974 at the age of 69.

For most of his working life, Ralph Thornton was an independent taxi driver.  Outside of his occupation, he fought hard for working class residents around housing, income security, and city planning.

In the late 1960s, Thornton was instrumental in fighting for residents whose homes were being expropriated by the City of Toronto.  His efforts led to changes in the Expropriation Act in 1968, which required the City give displaced residents enough money for their current home to purchase a comparable one.

To check out all the fun details of Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest, register for activities, and let us know you’re coming!

So come join us – and share your memories on social media using #eatsnbeats and #RiversideTO for chance to win a free Riverside t-shirt!

BIG THANK YOU to Riverside Eats & Beats 2018 sponsors for helping make this fantastic event possible: the Riverside BIA, BMO Queen & Saulter Branch, and Metroland Media.