By Korbin Milo
Korbin is Community Journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

The Cultural Bazaar in Regent Park which runs from June 24 – Sept 24 is now an annual event in Regent Park. This weekly event becomes the preferred way to wind-down after the workweek every summer. For residents and locals the bazaar is another delicious gathering with neighbours, but more importantly, it represents an opportunity to socialize, to exchange and share the diversity that is the soul of this community – it is a way of building social cohesion, inclusivity, and a celebratory means of breaking down the barriers that might exist in a multi-cultural community.  

Arguably one the best features of the bazaar is the opportunity to support local merchants and entrepreneurs with confidence. There are no sales targets to meet, and the products on display are made by neighbours they already know and trust.

As a patron approaches the bazaar, they are welcomed with live music and chatter and ushered in by waving flags from varied lands. On this particular Friday, an enthusiastic steel drummer really set a “take it easy” vibe accompanied at times by the likes of Mr. Bob Marley.

Each week from 5-9pm there is henna, raffles, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, and culturally representative textiles and food for everyone to explore. Regent Park’s Cultural Bazaar also offers a free (bring your own mat) yoga in the park session from 5:30-6:60pm.

Regent Park is a proudly diverse pocket of Toronto, with noticeable differences in the running of their events. The community in Regent Park invokes a sense of belonging that can be near impossible to find elsewhere.