Random Acts of Graffiti in Toronto

Graffiti, the scourge of any downtown wall, can be both a work of art and an act of public mischief. Some graffiti installations have a definite theme and in one area it is Calvin and Hobbes and another it is comics or portraits. I liked the little girl screaming in the photo at top.

Groundskeeper Willie eating a donut

A famous mouse slaps a cat

Honda Indy Toronto track build 2019

With less than a month to go till the latest edition of Toronto RaceFest, construction crews have already started putting together the temporary 2.89km, 11-turn street track in Exhibition Place and onto Lake Shore Boulevard. This year's race weekend is July 12-14 and ticket prices have not changed for the second year in a row. Fan Friday free general admission returns for the 10th year, courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association with a voluntary donation to Make-a-Wish Canada.

Turn 3 grandstand - Lake Shore Blvd W and Ontario Dr

Honda Indy Toronto Director of Track Operations leads the large crew in putting up the barriers and fences needed to safely contain the race cars and to put up the extensive grandstands that line the route. "Concrete barrier block placement has begun along Manitoba and Ontario Drives. In total over 2,050 blocks made using more than 10 million pounds of concrete will be positioned. Fencing spanning 14,000 feet made from 410,000 pounds of steel will be erected, and over 1,600 feet of tire wall barriers will line the course."

Festival map

NTT IndyCar is half way through the 2019 season and the current points leader is Josef Newgarden - who has won twice in Toronto (2015 and 2017). Also on the track will be the following race series: Robby Gordon's Stadium SUPER Trucks, NASCAR Pinty's Series, Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama.

Turn 2 on Lake Shore Blvd W near the Princes' Gates

“Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks are a spectacular and popular feature that we are thrilled to add back on the schedule for the first time since 2016!” said Jeff Atkinson, Honda Indy Toronto President. “On and off track, this annual summer Toronto tradition has so much to experience for festival-goers of all ages. A variety of single-day and weekend ticket options and unique packages at varying price points help make the event accessible to all.”

Come back as I add more photos of the 2019 build progress.

Luminato House of Mirrors

Over 55 tonnes of steel and mirrored glass combined into a giant, open air maze at Harbourfront Centre as part of Luminato 2019. You can reflect upon yourself and others while wandering the mirrored installation searching for the exit which should take about a half hour at a cost of $10 a person (kids under 5 free). Tickets are only available on site.

This is the North American debut of the traveling, mirrored attraction from creators Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney. From Luminato "Optical illusion meets vanity in this house-sized kaleidoscope where reflections are fragmented: shadow, ghost, stranger, or is it just you? Nothing is quite what it seems as you stumble through thousands of bewildering reflections. Seeing is believing ... or is it?"

It is confusing with many dead-end paths, bypasses and mirrors that make it difficult to to traverse. A second to last doorway leads to a large, triangular room with mirrors around the edges, then a final door leads to the outside.

Taste of Little Italy Festival this weekend

College Street West between Shaw and Bathurst will be car free and pedestrian friendly as the Little Italy Business Improvement Area puts on the Taste of Little Italy Festival from June 14-16, 2019. You can pretend you are in a classical Italian piazza while spending time at the main stage and six band locations, or enjoy some of the patios, carnival rides, vendors and the restaurants along College Street.

"All weekend you’ll have a chance to taste classic Italian food, fuzion restaurants, wine and cocktails on extended patios, authentic Spiducci and more while taking in over 20 performances from international and local artists as you explore the authentic culture of Italy on College Street. College St. is much more than just Italian as it has grown to a epic food and drink centre in Toronto with a variety of cultural cuisine, fuzion recipes and specialty cocktail focuses. From restaurants and street vendors to the myriad of free tastings and samples, you won’t leave unsatisfied. Just make sure to come on an empty stomach — it’s the only way you can properly enjoy all the classics — like authentic Italian pasta, wood-fired pizza, and tradition and non-traditional flavours of gelato. If you’re looking for something a bit different, you won’t be disappointed, as the festival is known for it’s diverse and multicultural food options."

When: Friday, June 14, 2019 6:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Saturday, June 15, 2019 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sunday, June 16, 2019 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

#JunctionTO Summer Solstice Festival coming

The longest day of the year is always best celebrated on a weekend and you can join Toronto at the 8th annual Junction Summer Solstice Festival on Saturday, June 22, 2019. The free Junction festival takes place from noon to midnight on Dundas Street West from High Park to Indian Grove and the theme is a retro-inspired Beach Party.

Over a hundred vendors, live music, an art market, street performers, delicious food and other family entertainment that will highlight the creative local community. The vendors will also be joined by over 30 Junction restaurants that will serve exclusive Summer Solstice menus. Young people can also take in the Summer Solstice Festival Tropical Kid Zone with a beach, an obstacle course, sand castles and a preschool play area. Plus ride an antique, trackless train called the Junction Express.

"Do you love live music? Whether you’re into energetic punk rock or laid back indie-folk, the Summer Solstice Festival features bands that cover every genre. Our Main Stage has nonstop music all day from popular Toronto artists. If you’ve ever wanted to perform in front of your own band, check out the live karaoke on our Community Stage. Our headliner, Wing Night (the band) is a tremendously successful 90’s R&B/Hip Hop cover band that makes upbeat music which engages large crowds with exuberance and charisma."

Lake Ontario historic water level

Beating the 2017 high water levels, Lake Ontario hit 75.92 metres above sea level and the lakefront edges of Toronto are getting a little soggy. The Toronto Islands are full of sandbags and water pumps - the west island closed to visitors with no ferry service, in the city areas are temporarily fenced and blockaded, no go zones in case you get a soaker. While the situation around Toronto is mostly one of inconvenience, on Ward's Island peoples homes have been damaged or are still at risk of flooding.

The International Lake Ontario - St Lawrence Board controls the flows of Lake Ontario to keep the levels within a certain range of 75.88m (2017 previous high) to 73.56m above sea level. The 2019 peak should start going down slowly as the outflow through the St Lawrence is now greater than the inflow from Lake Erie and the above average precipitation in Ontario, unless more rain feeds into the Great Lakes. The high water levels have pushed the Board to deviate from regulation above navigation limits to move the water out of Lake Ontario faster than usual to provide relief to shoreline property.

It doesn't take long for underwater vegetation to take hold on the steps that used to be above water

The Board says that "Water levels vary from year-to-year and throughout the year depending on weather and water supply conditions. Such variations benefit coastal wetlands and are critical to a healthy lake environment, but may at times and depending on individual circumstances increase the vulnerability of shoreline structures and reduce opportunities for recreational boating activities. The Board urges everyone to be prepared to live within the full range of levels that have occurred in the past and of those that may occur in the future. Based on historical observations and projected future conditions, at a minimum, Lake Ontario water levels are expected to range from a high of 75.88 m (248.9 ft.) to a low of 73.56 m (241.3 ft.) at infrequent intervals. However, it is also recognized that future climate conditions are uncertain, and more extreme water levels may be reached and these extremes may occur more often. Levels on the St. Lawrence River tend to vary more widely than on Lake Ontario. Also, these levels do not include the varying local effects of strong winds and wave action that significantly increase or decrease local water levels on both the lake and river, with temporary changes of over half a meter (two feet) possible in some locations."

The partly submerged Spadina Wave Deck

Sandbags around the Toronto Islands - for more island flood restraint installations see my post here.

Forks and Barrels Toronto 2019

The Forks and Barrels festival 19+ tour has hit Toronto and is setup in Ontario Place over the June 7-9 weekend. Located on the west island at the end of the pedestrian bridge, the festival has all the ingredients that growing adults crave on a hot weekend - alcohol and food, entertainment and games.

Historic Lake Ontario high water levels has some of the island edges under water but the venue is high and dry so you can stroll Beer Lane, Spirit Street and Wine Avenue which surround the main stage. Food trucks circle the areas with tons of culinary choices. Food vendors take cash and drinks can be acquired by buying tokens near the entrance. It was $20 plus tax for ten drink tokens with most samples being two tokens and you get a free sample glass at the gate. On Sunday most of the drinks were only 1 token each.

Ontario Place is undergoing a rebirth as the Province has opened the island park up for visitors and festivals in the last couple of years. Redevelopment is probably still far in the future (although the Province has said no residential or casino development) but the whole place is a perfect setting for a festival like Forks and Barrels. Outside the hustle and bustle of the city with a fantastic view of our beautiful skyline. Wandering each specific area of the festival you can see lots of people enjoying the weekend weather along with the food and drink offerings. 

Evidence of the high water levels in Lake Ontario are visible along the edges of the party zone

Early friday afternoon crowds start to fill the former amusement park as the event welcomed their first guests at 1pm. Check out the Square to "Connect and play for a Chance to Win; Lawn Games and Tournaments include Cornhole, Bocce Ball, Giant Jenga, Barrel Pong, Giant Connect Four, Spike Ball, Foosball and More!"

See more pictures after the jump.