Toronto Ukrainian Festival
It all started with the parade and Ken Kostick, “What’s
for Dinner” TV show host, celebrity chef and author, as the
Parade Marshall. The festival is one of the most anticipated
events of the season – not only of the Ukrainians, and their
descendants, but also of a great number of the Toronto residents
–
 of which thousands were present on this 14th annual
repeat performance. Some of the visitors hail from across
Canada, the US, Europe and the Ukraine to discover Ukrainian
culture in Canada, share the spirit and experience Ukrainian
hospitality at its best. About 400,000 visitors attended last
year! The figures for this year were not in as of this writing.
 The highlights of the parade – what the many photographers on
the sidelines focused on, were the wonderful and colorful native
Ukrainian costumes, especially when worn by the youngsters. It
was easy to note that they were very proud to be able to wear
them. The parade consisted of representatives of the many
Ukrainian clubs and organizations, floats, marching bands and
some local politicians – yes Jack Layton and members of the NDP
were present – and had joined the long march from High Park to
Jane Street – where the opening ceremonies took place. The
weather was perfect and the predicted showers did not
 materialize.
As usual the whole street was lined with kiosks and tents, some
of them offering Ukrainian food and other items that were
strictly Ukrainian, including the tasty native beers and – of
course – Vodka.
 Speaking of Vodka, Multiculture Bevco invited some of the
visitors for a Vodka ‘tasting’, where John Vellinga, its
president, explained where Vodka originated and how it was
distilled many times to make it palatable. I attended and was
amazed at how complicated the process was and how knowledgeable
Mr. Vellinga, and his color-slide presentation, was in
explaining this to us judges. But this is so interesting and
fascinating that I will write about it another time, as a
separate article.
 Entertainment on the main stage at Jane Street featured the MAD
HEADS XL in one of their first performances in North America.
There was continuous entertainment by dancers, vocalist,
musicians and other performers – including the Youth Segment and
Papa Duke Band. Vasil Popadiuk who hails originally from the
Ukraine is a violin virtuoso. His new band includes
Hungarian-born gypsy duo Robi Botos on piano and Frank Botos on
drums; David West from Ecuador, guitarist and Victor Khomenko on
bass – this unique ethnic mix was back by popular demand!
 Of course there was the usual small Midway at Runnymede Road, to
entertain the small fry, including a huge airbag to jump on,
that featured a huge scary looking dragon. I noticed that some
children, even urged on by their parents, refused to go on it.
It looked that scary!
I had an interesting conversation with an ‘old-timer’ who
approached me while I was having a – well deserved – beer, in
the beer tent, who noticed on my Media Pass that I was from a
German publication. He confessed that he had a very high regard
for Germans since he volunteered, as a young man, to fight with
a Ukrainian Unit, attached to the German army, against the
Russians, during the last war. He said that
 he was one of the
few that magically survived by being wounded and returned to a
German Field Hospital in the rear, and later to a hospital in
Germany. He was well into his eighties!
Kudos also to the merchants on
 Bloor Street, who took this
opportunity to have many sidewalk-sales along the street to take
advantage of this event. One of them mentioned to me that he
lost money during the recent construction and was glad that so
many visitors also realized the benefit of his sidewalk sale!
Great event! I am already looking forward to next year!
As always
Dick Altermann
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