What is YD | T.O?
YD | T.O now in its 9th year, is a non-profit FREE summer festival held at Yonge-Dundas Square with an unprecedented Yonge Street closure expecting an audience of over 30,000 people this summer. YD | T.O features over 100 live music and dance performances on 2 non-stop stages over 12 hours; mostly by young people 14 to 29 years old. The event also includes the YD Art Gallery, live Fashion Shows, the opening Flag Parade and much more! Yonge Street, closed from Dundas to Shuter is lined with a variety of vendors and exhibitors from food to jewelry and community organizations sharing valuable information. For details on what to expect for 2015 please visit the “YD | T.O ’15” section.
Headliner performers such as Karl Wolf, Reema Major, JD Era, Kim Davis, Blessed, Fefe Dobson, Lil JaXe, Michie Mee, Carlos Morgan and Jordan Francis have all lent their time and performed for their fans. Other personalities come out or MC to show their support, from Canadian Idol judges Zack Werner & Farley Flex to Liona Boyd to CTV anchor Ken Shaw, to So You Think You Can Dance judge Blake McGrath, renowned Director Lil X, Peter Kash of Flow 93.5, and many other sport celebrities. You just never know who will appear or show up at YD…
Year after year YD | T.O is proclaimed an official “Event of Municipal Significance” by the City of Toronto and is deemed the “Largest Youth Festival of Its Kind” by media. The festival has grown tremendously in popularity due to its dedicated volunteer staff, the passionate youth participants, and the Corporate Champions. For more details on each year’s highlights check the “ABOUT” section.
YD | T.O is not just a one day event, but rather a year round initiative. Youth participants also partake in events leading up to the July festival including auditions, press conferences, meetings, fundraising events, promotional video shoots, media interview sessions, etc. The initiative allows our youth to develop skills, obtain new knowledge, stay busy and active, connect and network with both peers and mentors that help empower them to pursue their passion.
YOUTH DAY was founded in 2005 by Tylaine Duggan after the coined “Summer of the Gun” to provide youth a free platform to showcase their talents and positive achievements; in turn engaging them to find their individual passion in art, music and dance so as to create a focus for a bright future. It is enabled solely by Corporate Champions, supporting City branches, insightful media, passionate volunteers – and the eager artists. As described by returning participants year after year – “YD | T.O is not just a day; it is life changing…”
YD 2012
– Proclaimed an official “Event of Municipal Significance” by the City of Toronto for Summer 2012
– Held Sunday July 22, 2012 at Yonge-Dundas Square with an estimated audience of over 24,000
– Yonge Street closure from Dundas to Shuter Streets to accommodate some 100 food, vendor and information booths
– Over 500 talented youth participated in the event, including over 100 live acts on the main stages and in the Youth Gallery
– Headlined by JD Era, Lil JaXe and MC’d by world renowned Liona Boyd and Peter Kash of Flow 93.5
– Introduced a Kids Corner with inflatable jumping games on the Yonge Street closure for the little ones
– Audition Season held Feb – May 2011
– Included the work of over 100 volunteers
YD 2011
– Proclaimed an official “Event of Municipal Significance” by the City of Toronto
– Held Sunday July 24, 2011 at Yonge-Dundas Square with an estimated audience of over 20,000
– Yonge Street closure from Queen to Dundas to accommodate over 30 types of food, vendor and information stations
– Over 500 talented youth participated in the event, including over 100 live acts on the main stages and in the Youth Gallery
– Headlined by Universal Music Canada recording artists; Karl Wolfe, Reema Major, and Jordan Francis
– Broke a World Record for “largest group to simultaneously dance the Macarena”
– Audition Season held Feb – May 2011
– Included the work of over 100 volunteers
YD 2010
– Deemed “The Largest Festival of Its Kind” by media
– YD moved to its new home Yonge-Dundas Square in the centre core of downtown Toronto
– Held Sunday July 25, 2010 with an estimated audience of over 14,000
– An unprecedented Yonge Street closure from Dundas to Shuter Streets accommodated booth spaces for over 20 types of vendors
– Included 92 live performances by youth and mentor / featured artists and speakers
– Headlined by Juno Award Winner; Kim Davis and Canadian Recording Artist and SYTYCDC Judge; Blake McGrath
– Broke a World Record for “largest group to simultaneously dance The Twist” by Chubby Checker and supported by our own Bobby Curtola
– Audition season held Feb – May 2010
– Included the work of over 80 volunteers
YD 2009
– Held Saturday July 25, 2009 at the CNE Grounds
– Due to the City strike, YD was moved last minute, and then a summer’s treacherous rain storm closed the festival early
– Scheduled to include 88 live performances by youth and mentor / featured artists and speakers
– Headliner scheduled was Canadian Idol Star; Toya Alexis
– Audition season held April – June 2009
– Included a Fashion Show by Corporate Champion “Value Village”
– Included the work of over 50 volunteers
YD 2008
– Held Saturday July 26, 2008 at Nathan Philips Square with an estimated audience of over 10,000
– Included 60 live performances by youth and mentor / featured artists and speakers
– Headlined by Canadian Juno Award Nominees & Winners; Michie Mee and Blessed
– Included over 10 types of vendors
– Audition Season held April – June 2008
– Included the work of over 35 volunteers
– Launch of YOUTH DAY! Official opening by The Honourables John Tory & David Zimmerman on behalf of Dalton McGuinty
– Held Saturday July 21, 2007 at Nathan Philips Square with an estimated audience of approximately 5000 visitors
– Included 76 live performances by youth and mentor / featured artists and speakers
– Headlined by Canadian Recording Artists Fefe Dobson and Carlos Morgan
– Included over 5 types of vendors
– Audition Season was held April – June
– Included the work of over 25 volunteers
