It’s the eve of this great nation’s birthday and while many are busy trying to get out of work Monday to ensure a four-day weekend, there are pre-Canada Day events to keep you busy on the weekend proper: follow the parade route, go chow-down with a choice of ribs or an international picnic, bop to some electronic music on the waterfront, take in a little green-space or a rockstar-filled photo exhibit.
WorldPride Parade
When: June 29, 1 p.m.
Where: Church and Bloor to Yonge and Dundas Square
Details: The start time for this year’s parade has been bumped up an hour to 1 p.m. in the afternoon because of the expected size of the procession. Inevitably this is one of the city’s biggest and most vibrant events. Cash prizes will be awarded in categories such as best float, costume and choreography.
Toronto Ribfest
When: June 27 to July 1
Where: Centennial Park
Details: This is much more than just a chance to snicker at people covered in barbeque sauce and, frankly, who could resist partaking themselves? It’s a long weekend extravaganza that offers a long list of live music acts, kids activities, celebrity judges and Canada Day fireworks to supplement your gorging on racks from more than a dozen of North American’s most highly regarded ’cue food vendors.
Eco-Art Fest
When: Runs Wednesday-Sunday through the summer starting June 25
Where: Todmorden Mills
Details: This summer-long activity is entering its first weekend and gives people a chance to interact with Canadian art and cultural exhibitions in the historic, bucolic setting of Todmorden Mills. There are plans to have interactive and live-music activities for all-ages particularly on weekends as well as more youth-centric arts and crafts and animal habitat workshops. Admission is free but there will be charges for specific workshops.
CHIN International Picnic
When: June 28-29 & July 1
Where: Exhibition Place
Details: I don’t know how many free multicultural picnics there actually are, but this one is advertised as the world’s largest. It’s now in its 48th year at Exhibition Place and offers top-notch entertainment and musical acts. There’s also midway rides and a shopping bazaar to catch your interest before you lay down your blanket and start in to the basket lunch. If you’re keen, there are some pre-Canada Day fireworks on Sunday as well.
Digital Dreams Music Festival
When: June 28 and 29
Where: The Flats at Ontario Place (909 Lakeshore Blvd. W.)
Details: Another ’Canada’s largest’ event, this time for electronic music. Take to the shore and enjoy two days of electronic music headlined by acts such as Tiesto, Justice and Dash Berlin. They’re running with a cashless payment wristband system to hopefully cut down the line bottlenecks at the entrances this year. You can get ticket details here.
Terry O’Neill: The Man Who Shot The Sixties
When: Starts June 26
Where: Izzy Gallery (106 Yorkville Ave.)
Details: He was there to photograph The Beatles landing in America and also shot the Stones, Bowie, Audrey Hepburn, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and even married Faye Dunaway. Now Terry O’Neill himself will be in attendance for the Canadian premiere of the exhibit “The Man Who Shot The Sixties” at Izzy Gallery in Yorkville June 26.
