MexFest 2014, Toronto

The colour and culture of Mexico is on display during MexFext 2014.

It’s here! I’m excited about MexFest, a ten-day Toronto festival celebrating Mexican culture, music, art and cuisine. MexFest 2014 runs from August 7 to 17.

Guests at the MexFest Gala, held August 7, enjoyed live music, tequila-based cocktails and a screening of Flight of the Butterflies 3D, the acclaimed documentary film by Director Mike Slee about the migration of Monarch butterflies between Canada and the State of Michoacán, Mexico. The footage of the Monarchs roosting by the millions on a remote mountain in Michoacán was stunning.

Like many Canadians, Monarch butterflies fly to Mexico each winter.
Credit: Flight of the Butterflies

I felt a personal connection to the Monarchs when I realized that part of the film was shot right here on the shores of Toronto and Lake Ontario. Picnicking by the beach at Presqu’ile provincial park recently, our group was enchanted when several Monarch butterflies fluttered by our tablecloth. Presqu’ile is a waystation for Monarchs which are dropping in number due to a decrease in the milkweed plants they need to survive. I left the MexFext Gala armed with the Flight of the Butterflies website (which has information on how to help the Monarch butterflies) and a determination to plant milkweed and other plants that will welcome these hardy little travelers when they return to Canada next spring.

Mexilicious (August 8 to 16) is another aspect of MexFest that foodies will want to get in on. Delicious prix fixe menus at some of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Toronto will feature cuisine from different regions of Mexico. For a list of participating restaurants, see MexFest Mexilicious.

Pancho’s Bakery food truck at MexFest launch party held Cinco de Mayo, Toronto.

MexFest Ultimo (Sunday, August 17) ends MexFest 2014 with an open-air party at Yonge-Dundas Square from noon to 9 p.m. Mexfest Ultimo is a public event that will includes a Mexican food and crafts market as well as live music performances by Hector Hernandez, Ballet Folklorico Corcovi, Mariachi Los Gallos, Saul Torres and his Band, I.M Brown, Vivianna Castell, Jaime Elizondo, Rosy Cervantes, M.C. Sulek.

Fresh tacos from La Loteria Taqueria food truck, Toronto.

For details on MexFest 2014, see the MexFest website. MexFest 2014 is presented by the Mexican–Canadian Cultural Council, with the support of the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto, the State of Michoacán, and the Mexico Tourism Board.