East Lynn Park is the heart of the Danforth East Community. This one-hectare park is located on the south side of Danforth Avenue, just west of Woodbine Avenue. If the community is hosting an outdoor event, it’ll likely be here.
Each summer, the East Lynn Farmers’ Market is co-hosted by Farmers’ Market Ontario and the Danforth East Community Association (DECA). This gets us the best of both worlds, farm fresh produce paired with community events. Mark Thursdays from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on your calendar because the market runs from the beginning of June right to the middle of October.
01 / Plan a Summer Picnic Date
You’ll only need to pack your picnic blanket for the perfect summer dinner date. The market has a number of food vendors with ready to eat meals like momos (steamed filled dumplings) from Bhojan Ghar, wraps and samosas from Magic Oven Catering, salads and lobster rolls from Hooked. With local businesses popping up each week, you might be able to score a charcuterie snack board from One Last Thing or french fries from Borrel.
02 / Support a Young Entrepreneur
The Kidpreneur program allows kids from 6 to 14 years old to gain experience as vendors and sell their homemade goods at the market. Products have included everything from freshly squeezed lemonade, to homemade slime, keychains, earrings and original art. The best time to catch these emerging companies in action is from 3:30 to 5:30 PM next to the DECA tent.
03 / Attend a Mini Concert on the Lawn
Each week, the market has a different musician busking. Paired with a rotating selection of breweries, it's the perfect match for a relaxing sun-filled afternoon. Breweries include Fairweather Brewing Co., Red Tape Brewery, Great Lakes Brewery and Saulter Street Brewery. Not a beer fan? Grab a ginger beer from Gingerbug or a mango lemonade from Magic Oven Catering.
04 / Upgrade Your Groceries with Farm Fresh Produce
Fruits and vegetables that are in-season just hit different. Son In Law Produce and Warner’s Farm offer a high-quality selection of produce ranging from strawberries, tomatoes, corn, raspberries and more. Heartee Foods carries 14 varieties of hyper-locally grown gourmet mushrooms. No need to tend your own garden when the work is done for you.
05 / Cool Down with the Splash Pad and a Popsicle
Along with a playground and picnic area, East Lynn Park includes a supervised splash pad. Located right next to the path with the market, it’s the perfect place to set up camp for the afternoon. On Thursdays, the splash pad is open from 12 noon to 6:30 PM. Still looking to cool down? Grab a popsicle from The Pop Stand nearby.
06 / Try Something New at the Kids’ Activity Booth
Each week, DECA or a local business hosts a free event at the Kid’s Activity Booth. Activities range from button making, glitter tattoos, pumpkin decorating and bicycle adornments. Local businesses like Create Art Studio and Mischief Makers have also participated.
07 / Fire Up the Barbeque with Quality Meats
Grass-fed beef from Bata Maples Sugarbush, seasonal fish from Hooked or even ostrich from Ostrich Land would make for the perfect cookout. Be sure to bring sauerkraut from Try It Ferments Inc or a bag of corn chips with salsa from Mad Mexican if you're a guest. Not looking to light up the barbeque? Albion Farms has cured meats and pepperettes ready to enjoy.
Stephanie
My husband and I had dinner picnic date with butter chicken wraps from Magic Oven Catering, momos from Bhojan Ghar and split a lager from Fairweather Brewery. The weather was so amazing under the shade from the park trees.