T&T Waterfront Night Market expecting 60,000 visitors

T&T Supermarket is bringing the night markets found in Taiwan to Toronto’s waterfront area with its second annual Waterfront Night Market (WNM) at its Cherry St. location July 21 to 24.

It’s promising to be a bigger and better event with some 60,000 visitors expected, and some 150 booths, taking up the grocer’s entire parking lot.

“Our goal is with this festival is in line with T&T’s mission: to bring Asian-Canadian families the food they love from their home countries but to also share that with mainstream Canadians,” says Tina Lee, T&T Supermarket director, strategy and operations. “Non-Asians visitors will enjoy what the night market will offer—shopping, eating and an entertainment experience.”
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Last year, the night market welcomed 30,000 visitors; organizers were only expecting 10,000.

Along with a kids’ zone featuring everything from bouncy castles and face painting, new to the event this year is a “lifestyle” section to entertain visitors: Thursday night will feature a graffiti demonstration; Friday will feature a demo from NBA Canada; Saturday there will be a showcase of the best custom modified vehicles and audio conversions; Sunday will feature a three-on-three basketball tournament.

The Night Market is the primary community event that T&T supports as a portion of the WNM proceeds will be donated to Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care supporting elderly care homes in the Greater Toronto Area, says Lee.

Last year visitors waited up to one hour-and-a-half to sample delicacies such as Korean “tornado potato”(a spiral-cut, deep-fried potato; Japanese “tofuyaki”(tofu cube in sweet soy sauce); or Taiwanese “malatang” (fish cakes stewed in a spicy sauce).

President’s Choice will also be sampling some of its summer Insider’s Menu products at the event.

The centre stage in the area, meanwhile will feature cooking demos, comedians, dancers, and singers including some T&T Supermarket staff who were finalists in its karaoke contest.

A shuttle is being offered from three locations: Union station, Chinatown and City Hall.

Lee says T&T would like to make the Waterfront Night Market even bigger next year. “It’s a great way to celebrate our culture and foods,” says Lee.

Check out highlights from last year's Waterfront Night Market in the video below: