Kensington Market Winter Solstice Parade

Kensington Market celebrates the 2011 winter solstice

The 22nd annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice Parade marked the onset of winter last night with a colourful procession through the market that ended in a fiery ceremony at Alexandria Park. Despite a bit of rain to begin the proceedings, the parade went off without a hitch, with lantern-totting participants decked out in a variety of costumes. The music, provided by Samba Squad and some other local performers, was a good fit for the theatrical parade, and helped to foster a general sense of excitement in the air.

But it was fire that stole the show. From the fire-thrower performances mid-parade to the burning of a giant pink hand at the end, the resistance to the cold and dark was, naturally, one of the chief themes of the pagan-inspired event, which beckoned the return of the sun. Here's what it looked like.

PHOTOS

Kensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice ParadeKensington Market Winter Solstice Parade

Photos by Dan Cronin


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Cliffside park in Toronto is a hidden gem with some of the most stunning views

Toronto neighbourhood gets new garbage bins after years of complaining

Factory that was once a fixture on Toronto's skyline is now completely demolished

Toronto park connected to huge trail system is a hotspot for glimpsing wildlife

Toronto may finally start cracking down on out of control rat problem

Shocking hit-and-run video in Toronto shows driver slamming person into side of truck

Street literally set on fire outside of Toronto's sketchiest McDonald's

TTC route is changing for the second time in a month due to excessive gridlock