Rob Ford plans campaign party in April

Ford Nation will open its doors to supporters next month as Rob Ford launches his campaign for mayor with a party. 

Ford was the first mayoral candidate to register at City Hall, but has not held the kind of kickoff events his rivals John Tory and Olivia Chow have in the last week.

“I invite Ford Nation out on April 17 at 6:30 p.m. at night, and you’ll see the real people talking. Not the media,” Ford's campaign manager and brother Doug Ford said.

The Fords say they've booked the Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke to host the event. Ford Nation, Doug Ford continued, is looking forward to the launch despite negative press around the mayor. “They care about keeping taxes low, about keeping people held accountable here. They care about the track record. We have a booming city here,” he said.

The Congress Centre is the building where the Fords celebrated their respective victories in 2010, when Rob was elected mayor and Doug as councillor.