Out & About #597 | ProFusion 2019 + Toronto Christmas Market

11/14/2019

There is nothing quite like the allure of free events. I'm a firm believer that organizers need beware of this fact: Admission fees are deterring.

ProFusion entails not a single cent for entry, yet entices, enchants, and bestows knowledge upon all attendees, of all ages, professions, and budgets.
Having been an attendee since the photo and video expo's first year of realization, I can profess that major improvements have been made with each passing year.

From only a handful of vendors occupying the basement level of the Sheraton Hotel to a jam-packed space of presentations, product demos, and up-and-coming media equipment brands in MTCC, the event has evolved into a 2-day course of knowledge acquisition, attracting not only local photographers but those south of the border as well. Last year's exhibit saw an influx of 360-degree technology, while this year's focus shifted towards drones and other remote-controlled devices for cinematography.

Those that attend are primarily photographers or videographers by trade, the turnout also comprises of younger faces - students and/or aspiring filmmakers. I remain an enthusiast, for drawing upon a hobby as a source of income seems to evict all enjoyment for me. Equipment testing is my main goal of the event; being able to discover, then depart with a sense of enrichment is always something to look forward to.

The second day of ProFusion happened to coincide with the Toronto Christmas Market's first day of operation - and, as it turned out, the same day as the Eaton Centre's tree lighting ceremony (which orangecane and I sweatily attended last year).

For the first time ever arose the desire to tune in for the Distillery District's edition.

Weather played its part and ensured that the trip there (and back) were free from ice, snow squalls, and plummeting temperatures. Winter is unpredictable, so mild mercury levels are never to go unappreciated.

We entered by the Mill/Parliament access, passing Palgong, and finding ourselves (or myself, at least) roped into a low-budget engagement session for CIBC customers. With the flash of a credit card, participants were provided a plastic token to toss into a waterless wishing well; prizes that resulted from the toss included monogrammed mittens and toques or $5-off vouchers for Tornado Potato's spiralized potatoes. The latter was attained but ultimately went unclaimed, for the very reason that I'm unfond of cold, sodium-laden carbs.

Vendor stalls had been rearranged since the previous years, with food and retail interspersed along the various cobblestone corridors instead of being based on category. The revised setup stimulated simulatenous acts of shopping and eating, instead of engaging in one activity before moving onto the other, customarily becoming distracted along the way.

View the full album HERE !

The market aims to introduce a few new elements with each launch, all while maintaining the festivities that Torontonians have come to love (and out-of-town visitors have come to experience). This year banished caramel-toned turkey legs in all their fleshy glory, instead adding crêpes, s'mores in a jar, and Tourtière to the lineup. European-style pretzels, mulled wine, Bratwurst sausage, poutine, and the quintessential hot chocolate stood their ground as energy-supplying units of sustenance.

Mill Street Brewery, known to serve up beer samples at the event ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶I̶D̶ ̶v̶e̶r̶i̶f̶i̶c̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶, opted to take things indoors this time
around. A highly applaudable initiative, it allowed visitors to enjoy the brewery's seasonal A Winter's Ale launch alongside gingersnap cookies, complimentary of The Sweet Escape. A toasty interior filled with flickering lights, a subtle buzz of collective contentment, and spice-infused ale was a swell way to ease ourselves into jovial spirits.

Near Cluny Bistro was the light tunnel yet again. This time though, it sported fewer bulbs and, coincidentally, fewer crowds looking a snap a photo within.

Light configurations were denser in other parts of the market. My personal favourite was the septet of pillars by the Cherry/Tank House exit.

On an adventurous (and slightly ravenous) state of mind, vendors that I had passed without hesitation on previous rounds suddenly appeared attractive. The warm wafts escaping Artisan Grilled Cheese lured us towards the lineup. It wasn't a very long one, so The Christmas Dinner was soon in our hands.
Frankly, the $13.85 specimen was less of a grilled cheese and more of a panini-style pressed sandwich. Fillings were few and stringy cheese was minimal; where it lacked in butteriness, it was compensated in supplying steam and cranberry-topped turkey.

Mulled Wine did not go untried this year either. At a whopping eleven dollars for a 7 oz. cup, I anticipated greater depth than I was provided. Service was speedy, but the product terribly underwhelming. Perhaps this response is owed to my general aversion of wine, but those that have attended with me in previous years strictly beg to differ.

Of the crepe-s'mores-tourtière trio, the last item was of most interest. Described as a Canadian meat pie with origins in Quebec, the newcomer was offered in three styles: The Classic, Beef & Peppercorn, and Porchette. It presented a great alternative to Tartistry's dazzling lights and DineSafe infractions.

The Classic was presented to us in a paper box stamped with The Pie Commission's moustache-adorned logo. Seeing this, a part of me secretly hoped that the pie supply originated from our neighbouring, French-speaking province, for The Pie Commission is a destination casually located in the Food District back home. Nonetheless, it was positively scrumptious: meaty with shards of potato that were neither too firm nor too mushy.

Amidst our market walk, a pair of teens approached us. They requested time for a brief interview, explaining that they were Ryerson students on a quest to complete a holiday-related assignment. My answers were quite typical, as their questions were basic to start.
"What does the Christmas Market mean to you?"
"Would you recommend the market to others?"
"What do the holidays, in general, mean to you?"

It wasn't until I began to respond to such questions that I was prompted to ponder the topic at a deeper level. The Toronto Christmas Market is an inaugural part of the snowy season, as well as an annual tradition for many. The event is a fun-filled foundation for Christmas celebrations, despite the preposterously frigid temperatures that accompanies it each year and a time that enables - and further encourages - friends of all levels of familiarity to congregate for a shared purpose.

By 5:50 PM, a number of television networks were spotted on site. CTV, GlobalNews, and several others were patiently on standby for the slated 6:15 PM illumination ceremony of the giant Christmas tree. As the beige-bearing performers wrapped up their final song, the organizer - Cookie Monster toque and all - welcomed John Tory to the stage. This speech was obviously not exempt from the man of merriness himself; Santa Claus sauntered onto the stage with a jolly Ho! Ho! Ho!.

And then, with the flip of a switch, the bulbs bloomed. Our previously-dim surroundings followed, radiating vibrancy. The signature orb configuration beamed at the numerous festival-goers down below. Trinity Street was, as well as the connecting Grismill Lane, were shining bright. The Christmas season had begun.

Stomachs feeling a teensy bit empty, we strode over to Wafel Bar, where my group and I had attempted four of six flavours last year. Instead of adding more carbs to the equation though, we simply opted for Hot Chocolate; four dollars per cup earned us warmth and a sweet, soothing sensation.

Fingertips unable to resist any further, we strode into Izumi. Marked by the scalding karaage and biodegradable trays of Gyu Curry, the Ontario Spring Water Company is a maze of memories - mainly consisting of those fighting the cold.
As this year's temperatures were much milder in comparison, we opted for ice cream - Sakekasu Ice Cream, that is. The Green Tea had fared wonderfully as a summertime treat, and the Lemon didn't disappoint either.

What is more, the distillery's bathroom was spotless. Complete with hooks, a beige Cintas set, and even soap constructed of sake kasu, it was the preferred alternative to other spots in the district.