491. 17 Places to Celebrate Canada Day July 1 Some with Fireworks 2014

Ruth writes:

Celebrations are all over the city with variations on the theme. They are all free unless otherwise specified. The official Toronto one is at Mel Lastman Square with live music by Justin Rutledge and NQ Arbuckle, and circus performances, family activities, etc. It’s from 5-10:30pm. 5100 Yonge Street by the North York Civic Centre. For more information: http://bit.ly/1hVfVWX.

The official Ontario government celebration is at Queen’s Park. The front lawn is turned into a midway along with a rocket-making workshop, a climbing wall and farmer’s market. See: http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/citizenship/honours/canadaday.shtml.

Fireworks will explode about 10:15pm at Mel Lastman Square created by Circus Orange. This is easily accessible  from the North York Centre Subway Station. A major fireworks venue is Ashbridges Bay Park, 1675 Lake Shore Blvd. E., near Coxwell Avenue. Fireworks there start after 9:30pm. From Woodbine subway station on No. 2 Line, take the 92 Woodbine bus south to Ashbridge’s Bay. Parking there is a problem.

Celebrations some with fireworks will also be at:
Black Creek Pioneer Village where an official citizenship ceremony will take place. Also there will be horse-drawn wagon rides and traditional games, as well as historic ales. $11-$15. http://www.blackcreek.ca/v2/events/canada-day.dot

Brampton’s Canada Day is in Chinguacousy Park, 9050 Bramalea Rd. 12-10 p.m. Tigerfest wrestling, performers Kim Mitchell, Amasic, and Andee, amusement rides, paddle boats, mini-putt, and fireworks. http://www.brampton.ca/EN/arts-culture-tourism/festivals-and-events/canada-day/Pages/welcome.asp.

Canada’s Wonderland will have a massive fireworks display set to music at 10 pm on Sunday, August 31 and Tuesday, July 1 weather permitting. It will feature custom fireworks designed specifically for the theme park, located at 9580 Jane St. in Vaughan. The show is included with the price of admission $36.99 – $47.99 (or you can watch for free outside the park).

Centennial Park’s Toronto Ribfest is June 27-July 1. 256 Centennial Park Road. This 15th annual fiesta, which runs from 11am to 11pm, June 27 to July 1, features family activities, midway rides, live music, FIFA World Cup Soccer on a giant screen, and on Canada Day fireworks at 10 pm. The requested admission is $2, and all proceeds go to community activities that Rotary Etobicoke supports. http://www.torontoribfest.com.

Scotiabank CHIN Picnic is on July 1 as well as June 28 and 29. On Canada Day, it will have Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, and Caribbean entertainment as well as a folklore dance competition. It’s in the west side of the Exhibition Place, in and near the Better Living Building. http://www.scotiabankchinpicnic.com/

East York’s Canada Day Parade goes from 9:30 to 11am from the East York Town Centre. The route is along Thorncliffe Park, Overlea Blvd., Millwood Rd., Pape Ave., Cosburn Ave., Coxwell Ave., Sammon Ave., to Woodbine Ave. and Ventor.

Fort York has live music including fife and drum, musket & artillery drill, mass hula-hooping, face painting, etc. 10am-5pm. Enter by West Gate from Fleet St. onto Garrison Rd. See map and directions at: http://www.fortyork.ca/plan-your-visit/directions.html

Harbourfront Centre which is located at 235 Queens Quay West will try to create a human flag at noon on July 1 with your help. Wear white or red to participate. Its fireworks are on June 30 from 10:30pm to 11pm. For more Canada Day weekend festivities at Harbourfront, see: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/today.cfm?discipline_id=&mode=day&day=1&week=28&month=07&year=2014&searchvenue=.

High Park. 11am-1:30pm. Presented by Peggy Nash, MP. Picnic Area 1, High Park (Bloor Street Entrance). Special Citizenship Ceremony 11am-12pm, music, children’s activities and a chance to get acquainted with neighbours and community organizations. RSVP on the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1399376017015710/.

Mississauga’s official party has live music by artists JRDN and Alyssa Reid, Canadian cirque acts, a drum station and a samba troupe performance, food trucks, and fireworks. The celebration is from 4pm to 10:30pm in Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Dr. http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/celebrationsquare/canadaday.

Richmond Hill’s Canada Day party goes from 11am to 11pm with fireworks at 10pm. It has a Bavarian beer garden, live entertainment, food, a midway, a children’s village, etc. Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd. E.: http://www.richmondhill.ca/subpage.asp?pageid=canada_day_celebrations.

Riverdale Park East’s 21th Neighbours Get Together Canada Day Celebration is 12-6pm. Near  Broadview Avenue & Gerrard Street East. This is largely a Chinese neighbourhood but it’s also multicultural. Bouncy castle, cultural dances.  This party is  relatively small and it’s easier to meet people. 416-533-0445.

Unionville Main Street’s party starts at 11am and features Turbo Street Funk. At 2pm is an attempt at the World’s Largest Cannoli. http://www.unionvilleinfo.com/News/Canada-Day

Vaughan’s  Canada Day is a family-friendly celebration from 3 to 8pm at Mackenzie Glen District Park, 220 Cranston Park Ave. Rock band Glass Tiger, singer Sarah Jordan & Disco Inferno will be among the performers. https://www.vaughan.ca/events/General%20Documents/Canada%20Day%202014/CD_eBrochure.pdf.

Yonge-Dundas Square has a Multicultural Canada Day. Details will be announced on: http://www.ydsquare.ca/

Note:
On Canada Day closed will be LCBO and Beer stores, libraries and schools, government offices, postal services, banks and garbage services.
Open will be TTC services on a holiday schedule, GO Transit on a Saturday schedule, most malls, including Bramalea City Centre, Eaton Centre, Square One Shopping Centre, and Vaughan Mills.

We hope you have a great day having fun and being happy to be with your fellow Torontonians.