Remembering SARSfest, the concert that revived Toronto, 20 years later

SARSfest snowballed into one of the most significant events in Toronto's history, giving residents and tourists assurance that normal life in the city was back.

Twenty years ago, Toronto was reeling from the deadly SARS epidemic that severely impacted the local economy.

As the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak contained and travel advisories for Canada’s largest city were lifted, efforts immediately began to bring people back to Toronto — and one of the country’s biggest music events was born.

On July 30, 2003, an estimated 450,000 to 500,000 people descended on Downsview Park for what was officially called the Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto concert, but more commonly known as SARSstock or SARSfest.

With that attendance, it was the largest concert in Canadian history.

The concert was a fundraiser for health-care and hospitality workers and featured an all-star lineup with The Rolling Stones as the headline act along with AC/DC, Justin Timberlake and Canadian acts such as Rush, The Guess Who, Kathleen Edwards and Blue Rodeo. The tickets were sold for as little as $21.50.

With the gates opening at 8 a.m. and the concert lasting through the early hours of the next morning, attendees of all ages braved the hot weather and crowds. The show was also broadcast countrywide.

Canadian actor Dan Aykroyd hosted the event, with actors Jim Belushi and Catherine O’Hara also making appearances.

SARSfest snowballed into one of the most significant events in Toronto’s history, giving residents and tourists assurance that normal life in the city was back.