Firefly Community Bonfire

 
Logs burning in a metal bonfire ring with blurry trees in the background.

Logs burning in a metal bonfire ring with blurry trees in the background. Photo by Roya Ann Miller.

 

Let’s be human together.

In this time of increasingly digital connection, of AI companions and Zoom meetings, we are going back to a very ancient thing — gathering around a fire, face to face, to say hello and just… see what happens.

This is a low-pressure, low-stakes way to connect to people who also love writing, take in some beauty, toast a marshmallow, and feel the pulse of human connection in your bones.

All the details:

Date + Time: We’ll meet at Withrow Park on Saturday, September 13, 7–8:30pm.

Getting there: It’s a big park, and you will find us just south of clubhouse and basketball court. Here’s the location on a map, look for the red teardrop. Or follow the smell of smoke. If you’re traveling via TTC, your closest subway station is Chester, which is wheelchair accessible. There’s lots of parking on nearby streets.

Accessibility: We chose this location for its accessibility features. We have access to barrier-free bathrooms, we’ll be adjacent to a paved path, and there’s an accessible subway stop close by. Here’s our full accessibility run-down.

Rain plans: We have also booked an indoor space in the park in case we need it. If we do, we’ll be asking people to mask up. We’ll have masks.

What to expect:

Welcome Station: There will be a table set up with a bright orange table cloth for everyone to drop by when they arrive. We’ll get you set up with a name tag if you want one and marshmallows to toast if that’s your thing. We’ll answer all your questions and help you settle in.

Welcome Committee: We’ll have dedicated greeters wearing “Welcome Committee” stickers, watching for anyone who could use a little chat. If you’d like to be a welcomer, let us know!

Conversation Bingo: Okay no pressure, but if you’re a person who likes a challenge (and maybe a little structure for starting new conversations), we’ll have bingo cards made up to help you spark up new conversations about writing, stories, and creativity. Yes, there will be prizes.

“These writing materials need a new home” table: We all know what we love (and don’t love) in a notebook or pen. If you have paper, notebooks or pens that aren’t your jam, bring them and swap them out! One person’s trash is another person’s fountain pen.

Volunteers: Are you someone who loves a little job? We’d love to give you one. Fill out this little form, or touch base when you get there; there will be plenty to go around.