2026-06-23
What a day. What a community. ❤️🇧🇷
When we started dreaming about creating Little Brazil, we imagined a place where people could gather, celebrate our culture, support local businesses, and feel a little closer to home.
This weekend, that dream became reality.
As immigrants, we know how hard it can be to leave everything behind and start over. We leave family, traditions, friendships, and often the feeling of belonging. That’s why seeing thousands of people come together for the first official City-supported event celebrating the Brazilian community was so emotional for me.
I found myself looking around all day and getting teary-eyed. Seeing the smiles, the music, the dancing, the families, the food, the organization, and the joy reminded me exactly why this matters so much.
This wasn’t just an Arraiá.
It was proof that we are building something beautiful together. A community. A home away from home. A place where Brazilians can feel proud of who they are and where everyone is welcome to experience our culture.
None of this would have happened without an incredible team of people who believed in this vision and worked tirelessly to make it happen.
Thank you to everyone at Padaria Toronto, who poured their hearts into every detail and had a VERY busy day, and made it all so well! You SHINED at the tent, bar, and bakery!
A special thank you to Midtown Yonge BIA / Pamela Cambuy — you were absolutely incredible. Your professionalism and heart were in this, and we can all see and feel it!!! Thank you, Vince and Carol, for being her right and left arm!
To Manoela., thank you for the media, marketing, creativity, and for being the GOAT. 🐐✨
To maripalhares, thank you for the music, the entertainment, and for dreaming about this exact event with me for so many years.
And to Josh Matlow and , thank you for starting this conversation last year and helping make it possible. Your support helped turn an idea into reality.
Most importantly, thank you to every single person who came, danced, sang, laughed, ate, volunteered, sponsored, supported, and celebrated with us.
Little Brazil is not a place. It’s people.
And together, we made something truly specia
