7000 at Toronto Family Festival

Photos by Michoel Dovid Freeman

Jews from every segment of the community joined Chabad of Toronto for a Lag Baomer Jewish family festival.

In addition to the traditional avenues of advertisement, Chabad Toronto was able to arrange A Mobile Ad which featured a tuck that travelled up and down the streets in The Jewish area of town, displaying the ad for the Parade, festival and 8th Day concert on three sides of the truck.

The electronic, color message changed every few seconds.

During the actual parade this same truck led the march through the streets with a picture of the Rebbe and scenes from the parade with the Rebbe in 1983.

The Program began at 12 noon with a rally, psukim, fire show and preshow by 8th Day.

At 1:00 the crowd set out on a parade down Bathurst Street (the main Avenue in the Jewish neighborhood) as thousands marched with signs – most decorated by the children themselves – floats made by the Bochurim in Yeshiva Lubavitch and girls of Bais Chomesh High School.

At 2:00 began a festival in the park featuring refreshments, Jewish themed Carnival Booths, 10 rides, Hot Air Balloon rides, Mivtzoim and Traditional Bonefire at 5:00.

At 6:00 pm began the 8th Day Concert at the Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre in the park.

At 7:10, as the concert ended, the first drops of rain were felt.

Special thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who worked many hours to make this the success that it was.

The Great Family Jewish Festival was arranged and sponsored be Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario, Tzivos Hashem Canada and the Jewish Russian Community Center.