This striking poster promotes the Toronto Pop Festival 1969, held on June 21 and 22 at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. Measuring approximately 21″ x 16″, it is printed on light-colored cardstock, making it a durable yet visually vibrant artifact from one of the era’s key cultural events. The bold red and black lettering contrasts sharply against the light background, creating an eye-catching design that captures the energy of the festival.
Prominent at the top is the festival’s title, “Toronto Pop Festival 69,” rendered in large, playful, psychedelic-style font. Below it, the event details, including the venue, dates, and showtimes (1:30 PM to 11:30 PM), are prominently displayed in clean black text. A glamorous, black-and-white image of a smiling woman dominates the left side of the poster, evoking the free-spirited allure of the late 1960s counterculture. Her jeans prominently display a circular “Pop 69” bumper sticker, tying her image directly to the event’s branding.
The lineup, presented in a schedule format, includes an eclectic mix of performers that reflect the diverse musical landscape of the time. Highlights include The Velvet Underground, Sly and the Family Stone, The Band, Procol Harum, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Steppenwolf, along with other notable acts like Tiny Tim, Johnny Winter, and Edwin Starr. Each performance is divided into afternoon and evening sessions, underscoring the festival’s ambitious programming.
At the bottom, practical details such as ticket prices ($6 per day or $10 for the weekend) and purchase locations are listed alongside a Coca-Cola logo, signaling the event’s sponsorship. This poster captures the excitement and eclecticism of the festival while serving as a quintessential representation of late-1960s music and cultural promotion.