TORONTO – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s family summer barbecue is getting a slightly different feel this time around.
The annual “Ford Fest”, which takes place this Friday night, has moved out east to Scarborough this year.
Ford and his supporters are gathering at Thomson Memorial Park on Brimley Road just north of Lawrence Avenue from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This is the first time the bash, held annually at the Ford family home since the ’90s, has moved from its usual spot in Etobicoke. The decision to move the event came at the request of the Ford’s mother Diane, said councillor Doug Ford.
“Mom was complaining that her tulips were getting crunched last year. We had about 7,000 people, so we’re going to split it up a bit,” Ford said .
John Tory, radio personality and co-host of Focus Ontario, says it is no accident that the event was moved to Scarborough.
“It’s not an accident this picnic is happening in Scarborough in terms of the mayor’s political activities,” Tory said in an interview. “And it is not an accident in terms of the campaign for a subway.”
The free event will run rain or shine with offerings of food, drinks, music and lots of schmoozing.
Scarborough is an area Mayor Ford has targeted politically in the past.
Ford has been a vocal proponent for building a subway in Toronto’s east-end even though city councillors voted last year to replace the aging Scarborough Rapid Transit fleet with a light rail line.
WATCH: Should Rob Ford worry about security during this public event? A drink in the face at a weekend street festival last month has renewed fears for the mayor’s safety. Mark Carcasole reports.
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