City
Canada Day 2009 Preview
It's Canada Day 2009 edition on Wednesday and for the first time in recent memory there won't be any fireworks at Ashbridges Bay - well, at least none that go off as part of a city-sanctioned event.
In fact, there won't be many of the usual Canada Day festivities thanks to the ongoing, smelly strike initiated last Monday by CUPE Local 79. The City of Toronto has a full list of canceled events ranging from the not-happening Canada Day celebration in Mel Lastman Square to the Sorry No Peanut Town Festival this year in Oriole Park.
Good thing though this city is filled with artists, entrepreneurs and other can-doers which means there's actually plenty going on around Toronto this July 1st. Here's a rundown of six fun in the sun (as long as it doesn't rain) events.
Join the Promise crew for their usual Canada Day gathering at Cherry Beach. Bring a frisbee, some snacks and a blanket and relax to the ambient sounds under the trees at the east end of the beach. FREE (or $5 optional donation).
Free music is on the agenda all night at Harbourfront during Canada Day. Faduma Nkrumah brings her Somali Jazz to the Redpath Stage at 7:00 followed by Chad VanGaalen (8PM) and the Constantines (9:30PM) on the larger Sirius Stage. During the day there's a real mix of events planned including free canoe rides (1pm) and a new citizens swearing in ceremony at noon. FREE
Canada Day at Centennial Park in Etobicoke
Meat lovers rejoice at the annual Toronto Ribfest fundraiser at Centennial Park. There's no secret what goes on here - unabashed consumption of pulled pork sandwiches, corn on the cob and massive slabs of ribs. Check out Joshua's review of last year's event. Starts at 11am. FREE to attend but must pay for food.
Canada Day at Sunnyside Pavilion
Felix & Gani, Dirty Dale, Tyrone and Ali Black spin under the stars on the west side at Sunnyside Pavilion. Go here for the music, the sun and dancing into the wee hours of the night. Starts at 6pm. Tickets are $15 before 7:30pm.
Canada Day at the Rogers Centre
Watch the Jays battle the defending AL Champion Devil Rays for third place in the Dome. Potential rookie of the year candidate Ricky Romero takes the mound. Start time 1:07PM. Tickets start at $9.
Fireworks will light up the sky north of the city starting at around 10pm. But events are happening here all day including another swearing-in ceremony, a petting zoo and a ball hockey tournament.
Stay tuned for more Canada Day events in our Wednesday Radar.
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Here is another Canada Day event...
Tour Guys will be offering a free walking tour of downtown Toronto on Canada Day as well, starting at 1pm near the reflecting pool at City Hall.
www.tourguys.ca
East York Rotary Ribfest has been moved to Whistlers on Broadview/Pottery Rd.
The music festival scheduled for Woodbine park is back on-they hired private contractors to deal with the trash.
The city claims the OAFL matches at Humber South are canceled but the event is most certainly still on...
Whoops! The walking tour tomorrow is at 4pm... we'll finish in plenty of time to hit up a Canada Day party!
There's also a Manifesto tribute to Michael Jackson at Yonge-Dundas Square, free, 8pm to 11pm.
http://themanifesto.ca/
PLEASE AD THIS EVENT TO YOUR LISTING:
The Manifesto Festival is proud to present a Canada Day Celebration paying tribute to the one and only Michael Jackson and his enormous contributions to music, art, dance and culture.
The free event will take place on Canada Day, July 1st from 8-11pm in the heart of Toronto at Dundas Square, rain or shine.
Featuring dj's:
Starting From Scratch
Son of S.O.U.L.
Mensa
Sean Sax
Jason Palma
*spinning 3 straight hours of Michael Jackson's music
Special dance performance by:
Rated X
Hosted by:
Wan Luv
Big Norm.
Two free shuttle buses will be available on a first come first serve basis. One will leave from Scarborough Store Front (4040 Lawrence Avenue East) and the other from Jane & Finch Mall near the Price Choppers (3975 Jane Street) at 6:30pm and again at 8:30pm returning home from Dundas square at 11pm.
The event is being supported by:
ArtReach Toronto
Canadian Heritage
Rated Inc.
Younited Neighborhoods Festivals
thecyberkrib.com
Fusicology
Roundtable Entertainment
Get Janet
Foot Prints
District 6 Music
Shaman
Prizefighter
FREE, RAIN OR SHINE
www.themanifesto.ca
Sorry to hear that Canada Day wasn't as glorious as it could be because of the strike. I love Toronto and am perpetually grateful that there is one sane country in North America.
Downsview Park is not north of the city.
Anyway, bonne fete, Canada!