The start of the Do West Festival on Dundas Street West Friday night was nearly delayed because of an impaired driver.
Derek Madison, the owner of Grasshopper Records and vendor at the festival said a car crashed into a fire hydrant around 2 p.m. Friday afternoon.
“He did a couple of turns and then smashed into the fire hydrant, the fire hydrant went through the front window of the LCBO,” he said.
Madison said the driver then proceeded to hit the fence set up near the LCBO injuring a police officer and pedestrian before passing out in his car.
Police said the driver was intoxicated but refused to confirm any other details of the incident.
Vendors were able to continue their setup, and the festival kicked off by 6 p.m.
The 10th annual festival in Little Portugal is a celebration of food, music, arts, and activities that commemorate the cultural diversity in Toronto.
Stefanie Furgiuele owner of Original Genes, has been a vendor at the festival since 2016.
“My first year was very memorable for me I started painting jackets as a hobby at home, and my mom is the one who signed me up for the festival,” she said. “I didn’t think anyone would buy my artwork then I sold a couple and now I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Like Furgiuele, there were many small businesses at the festival ranging from jewelry stores, candle stores, clothing stores and henna tattoo artists.
The festival also had many food trucks, games for children and live music performances by musicians and DJs.