A delicious celebration of Canada’s favourite comfort food is taking over downtown Toronto this fall, and it’s totally free to attend.
On September 19, Smoke-A-Palooza is returning to Sankofa Square for a 12-hour rock ‘n’ roll party packed with free bites, live music, and wild entertainment.
Organized by Smoke’s Poutinerie, the annual fan-appreciation event promises a full day of over-the-top activations spanning from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The main draw for hungry attendees is, of course, the free food. Thousands of fresh portions of classic poutine loaded with crisp fries, rich gravy, and squeaky cheese curds will be handed out to the crowd throughout the day.
Beyond the snacks, the square will transform into a full-scale concert venue featuring live ’80s rock tribute bands. The musical lineup includes high-energy performances from Destroyer Canada, 80s Gone Wild, and ACDC Eras playing their iconic anthems into the night.
Not to be missed is also the famous World Poutine Eating Championship, where top-ranked competitive eaters will battle it out to consume jaw-dropping amounts of poutine. Spectators will also watch corporate leaders swap their business attire for poutine boxes in the fast-paced Ryan Smolkin Memorial CEO Challenge.
While admission and food are completely free, the festival doubles as a charity effort. This year marks a 10-year milestone of supporting We Care, with a beer and merch tent on-site helping to raise additional funds to send children with disabilities to accessible summer camps.
Smoke-A-Palooza takes place at Sankofa Square (located at 1 Dundas St. E.) on Saturday, September 19. You can check out the full schedule of events on the Smoke’s Poutinerie website.
