Motorcycle Shows in Toronto 2022

There are a lot of people that ride a motorcycle, there are a lot more that just dream of owning one of those glorious metal beasts and wait patiently for the motorcycle shows to hit town. Covid restrictions due to the spread of the Omicron variant postponed the first scheduled show of 2022, after almost two years of show cancellations - the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW, which is now back on the calendar. It looks like all restrictions will end in March so let the good times roll.

The change to loosen restrictions will not bring all the shows back, it takes time and money to plan and organize a show and many a show has already been cancelled for 2022 - so check back as we go, maybe new dates will be found in 2022.

The Toronto Motorcycle Show usually takes place in February at the Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place. Unfortunately the show was cancelled this year, to return in 2023 (February 17-19).  From the Motorcycle Shows website; "The return of the Toronto Motorcycle Show is being postponed to 2023. Despite the industry’s best efforts and intentions to re-unite the riding community in February 2022, the reinstatement of capacity restrictions means we have to put our plans on hold until 2023. Despite this setback, we remain optimistic about a return to live events in 2023. Until then, we would like to thank you for your patience and support. We look forward to the full-force return of the Toronto Motorcycle Show in 2023."

Check out my post here for a contest to win a pair of tickets to the 2022 show

Rescheduled from January 2022 into March 2022 the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW will be at the Toronto International Centre March 25 to 27. "Check out all the Newest items in Motorcycling in massive displays with New Bikes, Huge Manufacturer and Dealer Displays, walk the Century of Motorcycles Exhibition, discover the hottest Shopping Bargains, check out the Enormous Used Bike Markets and find all of your Parts & Accessories for sale in hundreds of Exhibitor booths. Meet over 100 Clubs, Rides & Rallies, and Purchase your Bike right at the Show. LIVE Motocross Freestyle shows, LIVE music. Meet industry celebrities and watch some of the biggest names in bike builders compete to win $50,000 in Cash and Prizes at The Canada Cup Championship Custom Bike Competition on the AMSOIL stage in hall 5."

There is only one Port Dover motorcycle Friday the 13th rally in 2022 - on Friday, May 13.

Cancelled in 2022: The Toronto Motorcycle Spring Show kicks off the riding season at the International Centre from April 9-10. Presented by Riders Plus Insurance the show delivers an incredible weekend of new and used bikes, motorcycle gear and accessories with attractions and exhibits that appeal to everyone from beginners to hardcore bikers.

To our good friends, and fellow riders,

 

Here is the Spring Show announcement, "It is with huge disappointment that we have elected to cancel this year’s 32nd running of the Toronto International Spring Motorcycle Show.  With the Supershow shifting into dates far too close to our own event, along with today’s unstable market conditions, a short supply of motorcycles, and motorcycle parts and accessories, we feel that we cannot provide our faithful attendees, amazing exhibitors and our always loyal sponsors the same level of quality motorcycle show that they’ve come to expect from us - and that we are dedicated to deliver to them. We wish everyone a safe, fun, riding season, and look forward to welcoming you all back next year for the 2023 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL SPRING MOTORCYCLE SHOW."

There is a motorcycle rally planned by the Stockyards Crew going to Wasaga Beach on Saturday, July 16, 2022 beginning at 9am in Toronto.

Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV and Powersports Show October 21-23 at the International Centre. "If you’re into snowmobiles, ATVS and an all around Powersports enthusiast, this is the show for you! As soon as you step foot on the show floor, you’ll be blown away with the incredible roster of exhibitors and the feature events taking place around the show. The enormous Outdoors Event Centre with Live test drives and Freestyle Shows featuring snowmobiles, ATVs, motocross and street bikes. You’ll find huge Manufacturer Displays showcasing all of the new snowmobile and ATV line-ups. This show has more corporate manufacturer displays than any other snowmobile and/or ATV show across North America. All of the new machines under one roof, over one weekend, you can’t miss it! We guarantee it will be worth the drive to get here." 

Toronto Motorcycle SUPERSHOW returns to Toronto in March 2022

Check my post here for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the 2022 Motorcycle Supershow

With Covid restrictions lifting in Toronto, bikers can celebrate the rescheduled North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW which will run March 25-27, 2022. The annual show usually comes to town during the first weekend of the new year but was postponed due to the Omicron variant cases starting to snowball in December. Photos are from the 2020 show (see my post here for more photos of that event).

The rescheduled Motorcycle SUPERSHOW, sponsored by NFP Insurance, will return to the Toronto International Centre with its abundant free parking. The 46th annual show hours are Friday (Mar. 25) 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday (Mar. 26) 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday (Mar. 27) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can pick up advanced tickets on their website.

My favourite motorcycles - the choppers and custom bikes will be in Hall 5 of the International Centre and look out for entertainment and special guests appearances.

Here is some information from the Motorcycle SUPERSHOW.

"The AMSOIL Canada CUP Motorcycle Builders Competition will return again this year and registration is now open. North America’s best bike builders and novices compete to win cash prizes totaling $50,000. 

Who doesn’t love nostalgia, why not take a walk through the Century of Motorcycles Exhibition, perhaps you will see your first ride? Need new gear or parts discover the hottest deals and shopping bargains. We welcome back our vendors and our attendees after a 2-year hiatus due to COVID. Meet new friends as all the Clubs, Rides & Rallies.

Also returning this year will be our New, Used, Vintage, Racing, Motocross, Custom, Choppers, Touring, Cruising Electric and Performance Motorcycles. There truly is something for everyone.

Are you thinking about getting your motorcycle license? Why not book your learn to ride course? Go green with an electric scooter or motorcycle."

moonGARDEN in Toronto

Big, glowing globes are setup on the steps of the Richmond-Adelaide Centre, right beside the giant sculpture called 'Dreaming'. The globes are part of the Lucien Traveling Light installation 'moonGARDEN' and you can find them on the courtyard off of Adelaide Street, just west of Bay Street in downtown Toronto.

These aren't just any globes, no these have travelled the world since 2012, beginning in Montreal and viewed by over 1 million people, slightly similar to a big, red ball like the one found in Toronto many years ago placed at different locations around the city, or the series of red balls found hanging in Brookfield Place. These globes are lit from within and the colours change randomly, putting on a show that comes alive as darkness descends on the city.

YouTube video of the installation at night

From Lucion's website; "The ambiance for the show was inspired by the theory of sets, a branch of mathematics that illustrates notions of sets and belonging. For us, moonGARDEN is the perfect metaphor for a more inclusive world. The installation consists in 6 to 25 self-inflating spheres from 6 to 30 feet in diameter. The cut-outs are made by laser in keeping with a predefined storyline and then assembled on rotating platforms. The sequence based on a single stream of light produces an enchanting animation reminiscent of the lamps that made shadows dance on the walls when we were kids."

An old high tech newspaper box

I found this credit card friendly newspaper box many years ago, sitting proudly in front of Union Station. I don't remember it staying very long and I have never seen another in the financial district or around the Eaton Centre since. Maybe this high tech box started the newspaper on the road to ruin.

As newspapers go out of business or have moved to an online only model the boxes have been disappearing from the streets faster than you can say "time for a covid lockdown". Since this box made a brief appearance in Toronto the Sun Newspaper chain was sold to Postmedia.

According to News Media Canada about 19 million newspapers per week were circulated in Canada (free and paid, 2021 data) while in 2009 this number was almost 37 million, a slight drop of almost 50%. Things should pick up next week though!

You know what we also don't see much of anymore - it's the TRUMP building on Bay Street, seen in this photo being built. In 2017 the building was sold and rebranded.

An early Spring by Wiarton Willie

I am writing this post while watching Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, a perennial favourite that I have watched many times, just as "Wiarton Willie" has viewed his surroundings and issued his opinion on the approach of Spring. Sadly the bleach blonde groundhog has gone to greener pastures and so it fell on his standard groundhog replacement to complete his prognostications this year. Sadly we don't have a Gobbler's Knob as a place to make the announcement, just Bluewater Park along the shores of Colpoy's Bay in South Bruce Peninsula.

Covid restrictions kept the February 2, 2022 event small which was then livestreamed to the entire world through the Town's YouTube Channel (see below). From the South Bruce website; "Each year on February 2nd, people from around the world eagerly wait to see if Wiarton Willie will see a shadow indicating 6 more weeks of winter, or not see a shadow, predicting an early spring. Wiarton Willie didn't see any shadow today. Mayor Jackson proudly announced to the virtual audience that we will have an Early Spring!"

It's too bad that the festival has been cancelled once again because the town puts on quite an event, with entertainment, amusement rides, pancakes and fireworks. Hopefully Wiarton Willie will be able to see a crowd next year if the festival comes back (see my 2020 visit to Willie on my post here). If nothing else I would love an early Spring.