Kensington Market — Pedestrian Day
Sunday August 28th I decided to go on an adventure and check out Kensington Market. Just my luck that this particular Sunday was Pedestrian Day!
From the months of May to October the last Sunday of the month is designated for the public. The streets of Kensington Market become a vibrant celebration with an aim that isn’t to change the streets but rather the way in which you perceive them.
The public was encouraged to add and layer sheet canvases spread across the market.
Located at the heart of Toronto, Kensington Market is one of the city's most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods.
This space is a mix between a commercial and residential neighborhood known for its independent spirit, colorful shops, vibrant murals, diverse cuisine, engaging locals, and family-friendly events.
It is home to over 240 unique and eclectic businesses.
Music lined the streets!
Along with the colorful shops and vendors, there were a bunch of street buskers and musicians around every corner. Although I had never seen this group before a new personal favorite of mine is the Snooky Tynes Family Band.
This group is an Old School Toronto Funk Band! Snooky Tynes is commonly known around the downtown streets of Toronto for his street drumming. But when he gets in front of that microphone his voice is as smooth as silk.
A natural entertainer with incredible charm his outfit was amazing and added to the crowds excitement as he sang and danced on the streets. This funk tribute band played a wide variety of songs from the 60’s up to the 2010’s.
Instagram: @snookytynessoulexpress
Wanting to find out more about this area within Toronto to better understand the city as a whole I did a little investigation into a brief history of the Kensington Market!
History of the Market:
Historically Kensington Market sits on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, the Mississauga’s of the New Credit First Nation, and the Huron-Wendat. In the late 1700s, the land was parceled out to loyal government officials and military officers by the British colonial administrators (in hopes of establishing a British aristocratic rule).
It officially became a market in the early 1900s by Jewish immigrants who had settled in the Ward District. Toronto during this time was predominantly an Anglo, Protestant, stratified society, and poor immigrants were excluded from any form of social advancement. Due to the overcrowding and rough housing conditions of the Ward, the Jews in this area began to drift towards the Victorian suburb of Kensington.
They brought with them a strong and fiercely independent spirit, incredible trade skills, and livelihood they had earned from the goods they sold throughout Toronto from their handcrafts. They built stalls in front of their homes that eventually attracted many other Jewish businesses. It became known as the Jewish Market. Unfortunately during this time to secure a job in a gentile (not Jewish) workplace, you were required to work on Saturdays. This made it impossible for orthodox Jews of Toronto because Saturday is their Sabbath. The organization of the Kensington Market was their way of attempting to earn a living and still maintain their independence without compromising their faith.
Kensington Market has seen successive waves of immigration throughout the 20th century. The Marketplaces originally developed Victorian homes have transformed into shops. First by Eastern Europeans, then by immigrants from Italy, Portugal, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. From what I could see the space attracts both new Canadians and non-conformists — artists, entrepreneurs, hippies, activists, and punks. It continues to be a vibrant urban mixture of people and cultures.
** Thank you for reading! I appreciate the support! Please feel free to reach out with any comments, questions, or suggestions. There have been a lot of events and programs recently that I am excited to share. **
