It will be quieter in the community this summer as many of our local events are cancelled due to COVID-19.

Organizers of the annual New Toronto Grill Cheese Challenge say the June event has been postponed to a later date due to the pandemic, which requires social distancing and people to remain indoors.

Chris Korwin-Kuczinski, chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, says the health and safety of the community is their number one priority.

“It is one of our more popular festivals and people understand,” he says.

Many stores are closed, or workers laid off, until the situation improves.

Also cancelled or scale back this summer are high-profiled City events as Pride parade, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, hockey, baseball, basketball and most sports.

Residents say the Humber Bay Shores Farmers’ Market is also on hold since the City has stopped issuing permits due to COVID-19.

Organizers, it is reported, are looking at other venues to stage the popular market, or a virtual market or to postpone it until the situation improves. No decision has been made if the market will begin on May 30 as planned.

The popular market is has been a mainstay at Humber Bay Park West for many year with dozens of farmer and artisans selling their goods such as fresh produce, meat, herbs, cheeses, preserves and arts and crafts.