Canada Day 2012 fireworks & events across Toronto (GTA)
Fireworks and barbeques are the traditional way to celebrate Canada Day -- and there are plenty of places to take the family to mark Canada’s 145th birthday this year.
Here’s a list of fireworks displays and events across the GTA,
July 1 Fireworks displays:
• Ashbridges Bay Park (Coxwell Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard, Toronto): After 9:30 p.m.
• Canada’s Wonderland (Major MacKenzie Dr & Highway 400, Vaughan): 10 p.m,
• Downsview Park(Sheppard Ave and Keele Street): A half-hour fireworks show starts at dusk.
• Powerade Centre (Kennedy Road and Highway 407, Brampton): Fireworks follow a free event that runs from noon until 10 p.m.
• Richmond Green Park (Elgin Mills Road and Leslie Street, Richmond Hill): Fireworks at 10 p.m., following a free day-long event.
• Mississauga’ Celebration Square (across from Square One shopping mall): Fireworks follow a free day of events.
• Bronte Harbour’s Heritage Waterfront Park (Lakeshore and Bronte roads, Oakville) Fireworks at 10:15 p.m. follow a free day of events.
• City of Barrie’s Canada Day celebration (Kempenfelt Bay): Firework start at 10 p.m. following a free day of events at Heritage Park at the waterfront.
It’s not often you get to celebrate a 145th birthday and there are plenty of options ranging from traditional fireworks to a massive barbecue to a July 1 party done 1860s-style for Canucks of all ages to show their love for the true north strong and free on Canada Day this year.
Fireworks will light up the sky at Ashbridges Bay and Downsview parks and at Canada’s Wonderland, as well as other spots.
Many Canucks like to fire up the grill on the anniversary of Confederation, but the annual Toronto RibFest Food and Music Festival in Etobicoke is the perfect place to go for those who don’t want to stand over the barbecue.
Here’s a look at what’s happening on Canada Day:
Mel Lastman Square
The Canada Day party kicks off at 8 p.m. and includes live acts and fireworks choreographed to music. Dance troupes will take the stage, singer Saidah Baba Talibah will perform and fireworks will cap off the evening at 10:15 p.m. 5100 Yonge St. (north of Sheppard) For more information. http://www.canadaswonderland.com/
Ashbridges Bay Park fireworks
Fireworks will light up the sky starting at 9:30 p.m. at Ashbridges Bay Park, near Lake Shore Boulevard and Coxwell Avenue area. Free admission
Downsview Park fireworks
A half-hour fireworks show starts at dusk. 35 Carl Hall Rd. (Sheppard Avenue and Keele Street). Free admission. For more information. http://www.downsviewpark.ca/
Canada’s Wonderland
The massive theme park puts on a fireworks show starting at 10 p.m. and is included in the price of admission. 9580 Jane St., Vaughan (Highway 400 and Major Mackenzie Drive West).
For more information. http://www.canadaswonderland.com/
Toronto RibFest Food & Music Festival at Centennial Park
The annual celebration of barbecued meats runs from June 29 to July 2 at Etobicoke’s Centennial Park, near Eglinton and Renforth. As always, there’ll be award-winning ribs being served up by 16 different vendors. Bloomin’ onions, funnel cake, fries, cotton candy and fresh-squeezed lemonade can also be had. Bands will take over two stages over the three days.
The Canada Day event — the largest in the country after the party on Parliament Hill — also offers a shaded kids’ area with face painting, music and magic shows. There’s also a midway and a haunted house. Representatives from the Toronto Zoo will also be there with some animal friends.
There will also be a citizenship festival and a fireworks show happens on July 1 at 10 p.m.
Admission is free, but organizers are asking for donations. All proceeds will go to agencies that fight child hunger. For more information. http://torontoribfest.com/
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Ever imagine what Canada’s first-ever birthday was like? You can travel back in time for a Dominion Day celebration at Black Creek Pioneer Village where historic buildings will be festooned with bunting and Red Ensign flags.
Forty people will also be sworn in as Canadian citizens and Canucks, old and new alike, can share a ride on a horse-drawn wagon.
There will also be musical performances from Pearls of Time, as well as games and crafts for the kids.
Adult admission $15, kids (five-15) $11. Kids under four are free. for more information. http://www.blackcreek.ca/
Blue Jays
Celebrate July 1 by showing support for the Toronto Blue Jays when they play the Los Angeles Angels at Rogers Centre. The game starts at 3 p.m. There’ll also be a street festival before the game outside the Rogers Centre. http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tor&sv=1
CHIN Picnic
The 46th edition of the popular picnic takes over the Canadian National Exhibition grounds June 30, July 1 and July 2. It features a shopping bazaar, midway rides, live music and the highly-anticipated Mr. and Ms. CHIN (bikini) competition. The party starts at 11 a .m. each day. Admission is free. http://www.scotiabankchinpicnic.com/pagedisplay.aspx?i=327
Canada Day cruise
Mariposa Cruises is offering its annual Canada Day harbour dinner cruise. The event usually sells out quickly. Boarding is at 7 p.m. and the cruise lasts until 11:30 p.m. and includes a buffet-style dinner. Tickets are $82.95 for adults and $39.95 for kids 12 and under. http://www.mariposacruises.com/
Queen’s Park
The lawn outside the legislature will be transformed for a day of family fun, including performances highlighting the diversity of Canadian culture, games and rides for kids and other activities. Runs from noon-5 p.m. Free. 110 Wellesley St. W.
Canada Day at Mississauga’s Celebration Square
Free party at Celebration Square, across from Square One shopping mall, on July 1. Dragonette will also hit the stage. Aside from the music, there’ll be plenty of fun for kids, including Puss in Boots live, rock climbing, a circus show and stilt walkers. And the evening will be capped off with a fireworks display. The fun starts at 1 p.m. and runs until 10:30 p.m. http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/celebrationsquare/canadaday
Digital Dreams Music Festival
Some of the world’s top DJs will be showcasing their talents at Echo Beach, at Lake Shore Boulevard West and Ontario Place Drive, June 30 and July 1. Kaskade, Afrojack and London Elektricity are among the artists set to hit four stages. http://digitaldreamsfest.ca/
Toronto Jazz Festival
Musicians will be playing venues around the city on July 1, the final day of the Toronto Jazz Festival. http://torontojazz.com/
Brampton Canada Day party at Powerade Centre
The festivities in Brampton this year at the Powerade Centre on Kennedy Road. The wrestling spectacle TigerFest will also be performing. There will be games, midway rides and fireworks at the end of the night. The party is free and runs from noon until 10 p.m. http://www.brampton.ca/en/Arts-Culture-Tourism/Festivals-and-Events/Canada-Day/Pages/welcome.aspx
Vaughan Celebrates! Canada Day
1980s new wave group Platinum Blonde headlines the party at Mackenzie Glen District Park in Maple. Canadian R&B star JRDN will also hit the stage. The free event runs from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. http://www.city.vaughan.on.ca/vaughan/vaughan_celebrates/canada_day.htm
Richmond Hill Canada Day party
The annual celebration happens at Green Park. Details are still being firmed up but visitors can expect perennial favourites including fireworks, a beer garden, food pavilion and local artists. Admission is free. http://www.richmondhill.ca/subpage.asp?pageid=canada_day_celebrations
Markham’s Canada Day party
The town will host a citizenship ceremony, fireworks and other activities at Milne Dam Conservation Park. Admission is free. http://www.markham.ca/
City of Barrie’s Canada Day party
Local dance groups will be showing off their stuff at the daylong party on the city’s waterfront at Heritage Park. There will be a special kids’ zone set up with bouncy castles, face painting and games. The party starts at 1 p.m. and ends with a fireworks show over Kempenfelt Bay at 10 p.m. http://www.barrie.ca/Culture/Festivals/Pages/CanadaDay.aspx
HAPPY CANADA DAY, JULY 1, 2012
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