Festival Fun at Guild Park

Guild Park's big summer arts festival, Guild Alive With Culture, wraps up today (Sunday July 27) with another day full of crafts, food and music.

While you're there, be sure to visit the Friends of Guild Park booth (#141) to see Stripey and family, the milkweed-eating caterpillars who'll soon be turning into Monarch butterfies.

You can pick up some unique collectibles that showcase Guild Park - from vintage postcards and art prints, to history books and unique pins depicting the park's hand-carved Bear sculpture and the Herakles keystone.

Also, you can speak with the organization's active volunteers to get the latest updates about Guild Park's ongoing revitalization.

On Saturday (July 26), dozens of people came by the booth to share their family memories about Guild Park - from weddings and dinners at the old Guild Inn, to their visits while growing up.

When describing the park, so many visitors used the word "magic" and "inspiring." Hearing their personal stories truly inspires members of Friends of Guild Park to keep organizing events at the site and keep advocating for better park features.

Things like improved trails, especially those that connect to the waterfront, more park signage, on-site food service for park visitors and better coordinated park operations, were among the topics raised by Guild Alive visitors.

Scarborough-Guildwood MPP, Andrea Hazell, and Toronto Deputy Mayor, local Councillor, Paul Ainslie, at the Friends of Guild Park booth during Guild Alive With Culture, 2025.

Friends of Guild Park members will convey this information when we next discuss Guild Park's future with those responsible for the site.

Two local policy-makers interested in Guild Park - Scarborough-Guildwood 's provincal rep, Andrea Hazell, and Toronto Deputy Mayor, Paul Ainslie - came by the Friends of Guild Park booth during the festival (see photo).

Also on Saturday, Toronto Mayor Oliva Chow took to Guild Park's Greek Theatre stage to help open the festival. She talked about how the architectural treasures displayed on-site were important Toronto assets (see photo).

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow (at microphone) speaks in support of Guild Park while on stage at the park's art festival July 26, 2025. In contrast, the mayor voted to successfully reject a new funding proposal for Guild Park at City Hall Dec. 10, 2024.

The Mayor's words at Guild Park in July contrasted with her actions during a City Executive meeting at City Hall last December. That's when she voted with the majority of councillors to reject Councillor Ainslie's proposal to bring more long-term funding to Guild Park.

Given the City's long-term reluctance to adequately fund Guild Park's operating improvements, Friends of Guild Park is becoming more active in making the park better.

The group's most recent success was raising $7,500 to install a new Heritage Toronto plaque to commemorate the historic Greek Theatre.

Guild Park's new historic plaque for the Greek Theatre is the latest park improvement completed by Friends of Guild Park. Funding for this $7,500 plaque was raised entirely from the public and community by Friends of Guild Park. (Photo by Ulrik Westergaard)

To help bring future improvements to Guild Park, the organization is selling special commemorative items at its Guild Alive With Culture booth. All proceeds from these sales - as well as donations and memberships - go toward making the park better through activities and projects.

Donations can also be made online through our charitable partner, the Veritas Foundation. The link to donate is herehttps://veritascharityservices.com/campaigns/friends-of-guild-park/

We look forward to meeting lots more Guild Park supporters at Booth 141 during Guild Alive With Culture. The festival is open Sunday July 27 from 10 am to 5 pm.