6/30/2010 4:36:59 PM

June 29, 2010

Toronto helping its residents celebrate Canada Day

The City of Toronto encourages residents and visitors to enjoy Canada Day in Toronto on Thursday, July 1 by coming out for parades, musical entertainment, barbecues, historic site tours, farmers markets and fireworks celebrating Canada’s birthday.

City parks, swimming pools and wading pools will be open on Canada Day. While most community centres will be closed on July 1, some centres in parks that are hosting Canada Day events will allow public entry for basic services.

Online water quality reports for local beaches: http://www.toronto.ca/beach/
Online schedules for swimming pools: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/recreation_facilities/swimming/

Canada Day celebrations will include annual Canada Day parades in the East York and Scarborough communities, a festival at Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St.) and fireworks shows - among other highlights.

A summary of the City's Canada Day activities follows (by geographic area). Further details are available online where noted, and the public can also call 311 for information.

East
- The Scarborough community’s annual Canada Day celebration at Thomson Memorial Park (1005 Brimley Rd.) will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The day will begin with a free pancake breakfast.
- The community's annual Canada Day parade starting at Scarborough Civic Centre (150 Borough Rd.) and ending at Thompson Memorial Park will begin at 5 p.m.
- The City will present a fireworks display at Milliken Park (4325 McCowan Rd.) in the evening.

North
- Live music, children's activities, fireworks and a barbecue are among features at Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St.) on Canada Day from 5 to 10 p.m. Details are available at http://www.toronto.ca/special_events.
- Broadlands Community Centre and Park (19 Castlegrove Blvd.) will present a community picnic event from 1:30 to 4 p.m. - hosted jointly by the O’Connor Hills Ratepayers Association and the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation division.

South and central
- The City's big Canada Day fireworks show at Ashbridges Bay Park (at the foot of Coxwell Avenue) will start at about 10 p.m. on July 1.
- The East York community's annual Canada Day parade will start at 9 a.m., departing from the East York Town Centre (45 Overlea Blvd.). Marching bands will join in at Dieppe Park, and the parade is scheduled to arrive at Stan Wadlow Park by noon.
- Celebrations at Stan Wadlow Park (888 Cosburn Ave.) will start at 11 a.m., with opening ceremonies at noon followed by entertainment that will include a show by the Winged Wheels police motorcycle riders. There will also be evening entertainment, including fireworks.

West
- The annual Toronto Ribfest/Canada Day event at Centennial Park (256 Centennial Park Rd.), presented by the Rotary Club of Etobicoke, will run all day until 10 p.m., concluding with a fireworks display. More information: http://www.torontoribfest.com
- Amesbury Park (1507 Lawrence Ave. W.) will host its annual Canada Day festivities from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with a Canada Day ceremony at 1 p.m. The wide range of features will include fireworks in the evening. More information: http://www.amesburycanadaday.ca
- Canada Day celebrations at Weston Lions Park (2125 Lawrence Ave. W.) will take place from 7 to 10 p.m., including fireworks.

Reminder: Members of the public are not allowed to set off fireworks in City parks.

Toronto's historic sites on Canada Day
In addition to the preceding parades and parks events, seven City of Toronto historic sites/museums will present a mixture of regular and special programming on Canada Day. Details follow.

- Mackenzie House (82 Bond St.) will be open from noon to 5 p.m., with two historical exhibits. There is an admission fee.
- Gibson House (5172 Yonge St.) will be open from noon to 5 p.m., with a free historical exhibit and activities for all ages.
- Fort York National Historic Site (100 Garrison Rd. in the vicinity of Exhibition Place) will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a Canada Day celebration. There will also be a walking tour of the local area at 1 p.m., starting and ending at Fort York. Regular admission fees, free parking
- Colborne Lodge in High Park will be open on Canada Day from noon to 5 p.m. Regular admission fees apply.
- Montgomery's Inn (4709 Dundas St. W. at Islington Avenue) will present "Dominion Day" celebrations, including a farmers market, from 1 to 4 p.m. Regular admission fees apply for museum tours.
- Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.) in Thomson Memorial Park will present a Canada Day celebration with barbecue, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum tours are on "pay what you can" basis.
- Todmorden Mill Heritage Museum and Arts Centre off Pottery Road will celebrate Canada Day from noon to 4 p.m. Regular admission fees apply.

More details about the July 1 programming at City museums:
http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/canada-day-events.htm.
Museum locations, hours of operation, admission fees:
http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/locations.htm

City services on July 1
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) system will operate on a holiday schedule (similar to regular Saturday service). Subway service will start at 6 a.m. on July 1.

The City's residential garbage, recycling and organic waste collection will proceed on the usual Thursday schedule. Toronto’s long-term care homes will remain open on Canada Day. City child-care centres will be closed for the day.

All City emergency services and 24-hour operations will be provided as usual on Thursday. For emergency response, call 911.

City offices will be closed for the Canada Day holiday. The City's 311 information service will be operating as usual.

City of Toronto website: http://www.toronto.ca