If you’re looking to break bread with hundreds of fellow Torontonians this Thanksgiving, a giant community feast is popping up under the city’s favourite concrete overpass.
On Thursday, October 8, The Bentway is playing host to Canada’s Longest Friendsgiving Table, inviting as many as 450 guests to pull up a chair along one continuous table stretching straight through the public space.
The concept of “Friendsgiving” — a unofficial holiday tradition that emerged online around 2007 as a way for chosen families, transplants and pals to gather over comfort food — has exploded in popularity over the last decade. While it usually happens in cramped condo dining rooms with potluck dishes, this massive Toronto edition scales up the concept to a city-wide level.
Guests will gather from 4 to 8 p.m. for a full, complimentary spread featuring classic holiday staples. At the center of the experience, warm platters of soft and fluffy rolls provided by host brand King’s Hawaiian will make their way down the line, encouraging attendees to pass dishes family-style and strike up conversations with total strangers.
Best of all, you don’t have to worry about the unpredictable autumn weather messing up an outdoor meal. Because the entire continuous table will be set up directly underneath the Gardiner Expressway overpass at 250 Fort York Blvd, the open-air dinner is running rain or shine.
Admission is completely free, but you will need to grab a ticket in advance. Complimentary seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis through Eventbrite. Given Toronto’s appetite for free food pop-ups, you’ll want to reserve your spot fast before the table fills up.