Beachfest Beats the End of Summer Blues

Toronto has a love/hate relationship with Labour Day. One of the most loved traditions is the Mix 99.9 Beachfest. The stage was set at Sunnyside Park in the West Beaches, and featured some of the finest talent Canada has to offer, including Kathleen Edwards, K-OS, David Usher and Blue Rodeo.

It could not have been a more perfect day. The sky was blue, the water even bluer, and the music on stage was great accompaniment to the Air Show overhead. The show started at 10:30 with young guitar great Kyle Riabko. Singer/songwriters Jeremy Fisher and Matthew Barber rounded out the morning's sets, and as the day got warmer, thousands came out to enjoy music from Sarah Slean, K-OS, Steven Page (with The Vanity Project), Ron Sexsmith, Usher, Edwards, Tom Cochrane and Blue Rodeo.

David Usher's set was a crowd pleaser, and included hits that spanned his 4 albums. Blue Rodeo ended the day on a high note, and had some friends join them (including Slean, Page, Edwards and Damhnait Doyle) on a mix of their songs and cover tunes. Their ode to Lake Ontario, "Hasn't Hit Me Yet" was by far the highlight, although everyone would have to agree the lake is much nicer on a warm September day than a "cold December night".

The music wasn't the only hit at this annual farewell to summer. The food and beverage prices were very reasonable. The vendor area was a great way to get in some walking between sets, and the midway attracted both adults and children alike. No doubt that tomorrow, as Toronto sits at their desks, whether it be work or school, many will be longing for days such as Labour Day at Beachfest.