Vikki Lenola and the Vegan Fashion Show

Compassion always remains in fashion and Producer and animal rights activist Vikki Lenola brings her Vegan Fashion Show to Planted Expo in Toronto. The fashion show took place early afternoon on the first day of the weekend expo taking place March 23-24 at Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place which will later move to Vancouver in June 2024.

The designers, fashions and accessories are vegan and for each it was important for the designer to remove animal products from their products. Cruelty free fashions without animal involvement also reduces the environmental impact of obtaining and treating animal byproducts, a win-win for society. Six designers took part in the Toronto show; QZ Shen, Millie & Maxie, The Wifey Collection, No. 49 Hangbags, Jummobi Apparel and AVE Bags as Vikki hosted the Vegan Fashion Show.

QZ Shen fashions

Millie & Maxie handbags

The Wifey Collection fashions

Jummobi Apparel fashions

AVE Bags

No. 49 Hangbags

Vikki Lenola discusses the cost of leather replacements in fashion at the Vegan Fashion Show

See more of the show after the jump.

Toronto Planted Expo with the Vegan Fashion Show

Planted Expo is in Toronto's Enercare Centre for the March 23-24, 2024 weekend, hosting over 150 plant-based companies and brands for those that do not consume any food made or derived from animals. Vegans also replace animal-based products, including items used in fashion, with non-animal alternatives which you can see during Saturday's Vegan Fashion Show. You can see more of the Vegan Fashion Show on my post here.

Some of the models at the Vegan Fashion Show

Vickki Lenola is the producer/director of the Vegan Fashion Show which will begin at 12:35pm with an opening talk followed by the fashion show which will finish around 1:30pm. It is truly amazing the clothes they can make from plant-based products which can replace items like leather and feathers to help make the world more cruelty-free.

This vegan exhibition is at Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place, open from 10am till 5pm each day and you can purchase tickets online at Planted Expo. Visit the show and see plant-based offerings of everything from food and drink to travel and lifestyle businesses.

The show also features many knowledgeable vegan speakers to educate and inspire visitors to the show (schedule copied below). A special addition to the lineup of speakers during the day you can always buy evening tickets to see Dr. Michael Greger, author of How Not to Age and several famous netflix docuseries, tell us how to live longer. The presentation will also be recorded for podcast.

There are a lot of healthy, happy people in Hall D of the Centre and you learn quickly that it's not just tofu, it is really incredible how many food types are now made with plants. If you like food and drink samples this is the place for you.

Saturday, March 23
10:15 AM - Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
10:20 AM - Nick Avis
10:50 AM - Ella Magers
11:30 AM - Genesis Butler
12:35 PM - Vikki Lenola & The Vegan Fashion Show
1:45 PM - Nimai Delgado
2:35 PM - Dr. Loomis & Caryn Dugan
3:35 PM - Margaret Coons

Sunday, March 24
10:20 AM - Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
10:30 AM - Dr. Michael Greger
11:30 AM - Carleigh Bodrug
12:15 PM - Chuck Carroll
12:50 PM - Robert Cheeke
1:50 PM - Doug McNish
2:45 PM - Harvey Lewis
3:30 PM - Margot Freitag
4:10 PM - Best in Show Awards

John Notten and Lumière: The Art of Light Toronto 2024

Contemporary Toronto artist John Notten brings one of his large-scale art pieces to the latest edition of the light-based art installations in Trillium Park, Ontario Place. John takes common objects, reconfigures and decontextualizes them and boom, you got some good art. This project uses canoes - as he has incorporated into several of his previous works, in Drawn to the Flame which features six red canoes looking like they are part of a large bonfire.

Two lovers bask in the glow of the oversized campfire. Drawn to the Flame by John Notten

John joins a number of other artists included in this exhibition, in last remaining public space in Ontario Place as the redevelopment of the lake front property takes over much of the park. Lumière: The Art of Light exhibition is on display from March 12 to April 20, 2024 nightly from sunset to 11pm. There will also be bonfires in the fire pit nightly during March Break and Friday and Saturday nights for the rest of the exhibition. Many of the artworks are interactive as found in Tree Love (hug the tree) or Trail (where motion starts changing the pattern and colours of the lights, or influenced by the elements, especially wind or by the touch of visitors.

Wind: Harmony in Motion by Samuel Kiehoon Lee

Connect Ever Green by Jungle Ling

 

Lumen: Air by Meghan Cheng

From the Ontario Place website, "This free outdoor light-based art exhibition welcomes visitors to explore Trillium Park and experience bold and imaginative public art created by talented Ontario-based artists from all artistic streams. Using innovation, light and discovery, artists and creators will “illuminate” the park under the theme of “CONNECTIONS”. This theme aims to explore the various ways in which light can create connections between people, the environment, and different aspects of our lives.

Entangled Luminosity by Tyler Burey

Trail by M. Joakim is on the pedestrian bridge and looks better from the bridge. If you dance as you walk past you can see some pretty vibrant colours

To reach the exhibition you can park in Coronation Park, Exhibition Place or other nearby lots (all paid parking) and walk over to Trillium Park, or take public transit and again walk over to the park. We spent about two hours at the site, exploring and taking pictures of the art and I personally think this year's efforts top the 2023 show. As a bonus the skyline views of the city overlooking the harbourfront is spectacular, especially at twilight and into the dark night.

Tree Love by ZEM is probably the largest of the installations - taking over a tree along the path closer to Echo Beach

You need to hug the tree to get the lights going and if you step away from the tree and hug again there might be new colours displayed

See more photos of the light art after the jump.

Honda Indy Toronto becomes Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto

The Ontario Honda Dealers have greatly expanded their role in the annual NTT IndyCar Season taking over as lead sponsor for the 2024 Toronto racing event owned and operated by Green Savoree Toronto. As a premier partner the dealers have helped to raise over $1 million during the annual Ontario Honda Dealers Fan Friday where visitors can attend the race for free with a voluntary charitable donation on the opening Friday.

Taking over Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Boulevard during the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race weekend July 19-21, 2024 the fast paced motorsports festival has announced that ticket renewals, with complimentary paddock access, begins immediately while public ticket sales will start April 5.

“The Ontario Honda Dealers are excited to become an even bigger part of this Toronto tradition which spans nearly four decades,” said Chris Gauthier, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association. “We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to help grow and expand this landmark event for the province and we can’t wait for July to see all the great fans and race cars at Exhibition Place!”

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the Ontario Honda Dealers taking the title sponsor role. The organization’s ongoing support of Your Honda Ontario Dealers Present Fan Friday has been instrumental in transforming the event experience into a family-friendly festival,” said Jeff Atkinson, president of Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. “We also want to thank Honda Canada for 15 years of tremendous support. This event would not be where it is today without Honda Canada, and we look forward to building on that success with the Ontario Honda Dealers into the future.”

Open-wheeled racing has been taking place through the Streets of Toronto since 1986 (as the Molson Indy Toronto) with the previous title sponsor Honda Canada Inc. headlining the race from 2009-2023. The Toronto race is IndyCar's second oldest street race and is a 2.874-kilometre (1.786-mile), 11-turn temporary circuit and Christian Lundgaard will be the defending winner from 2023.

In addition to IndyCar there will also be a number of supporting series joining the 2024 Toronto race; Sports Car Championship presented by Michelin and Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin which will feature a race-within-race format with the Blue Marble Radical Cup North America series. Finally USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire and USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire will also compete. 

Win tickets to the Spring Motorcycle Supershow 2024

Contact me for a chance to win tickets to the Spring Toronto Motorcycle Supershow to be held April 6-7, 2024 at the International Centre near the airport. It's bigger than ever with over a quarter million square feet of motorcycles and accessories. Leave a comment on this post or send me an email (jmhcet@gmail.com) to enter the contest and good luck, this is always a great show - I can't wait to see the entrees in the bike building competition.

From the Supershow, "The New 2024 model motorcycles will have larger displays, including touring and cruising, street, offroad, scooters, production customs, and more. There will also be great deals on non-current models. The giant Used Bike Clearance Sale is bigger and better this year for those who are looking to upgrade or shop for their first bike. With riding season right around the corner, shopping for great bargains on helmets, boots, gloves, and riding apparel becomes the most popular activity. Are you interested in becoming a new rider? The Show offers attendees information on Rider Training programs, licensing, and Insurance. Are you wondering about the best bike and proper riding gear for you? Vendors will offer great advice on getting started."

The show hours are Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Parking at the International Centre is free and if you don't win the tickets you can check out the website for a $3 discount coupon available by email.

Toronto Sugar Shack 2024

Pre-spring in Sugar Beach is surprisingly short of people getting tans so it is a perfect time for the sweet annual festival Sugar Shack March 9 to 10 from 10am till 5pm. Redpath Sugar presents the fun at the sandy beach park and they provide free hot chocolate and tasty cookies. Harbourfront loves the giant rubber duckies and they brought the baby one out for Sugar Shack, they are deflating the duck near the end of the day in the photo above.

The rain or shine, free admission event features a number of food truck and food vendors along with a glass igloo by Ford, providing prizes and free photos. Highlights of the event are maple taffy ($5 each or 3 for $10), a beaver ice sculpture and Zumba classes. Sugar Beach is located at Lower Jarvis and Queens Quay (11 Dockside Drive).

Here are some of the activities taking place at the winter festival as noted in their website:

"Two Sugar Shacks serving up fresh Ontario maple taffy, presented by Menkes Developments.
Maple infused comfort food including delicious Redpath Sugar cookies. ​
Winter Circus Lumberjack show from Tim Burr.
Billy Bishop Airport warming station with bonfires and a maple sugaring demonstration.
Visit the Ford Canada booth to test drive an epic lineup of electric vehicles for your shot at tickets to an upcoming Toronto Maple Leafs game.
Interactive activities and giveaways from Waterfront Toronto & Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre.
Visit the Canadian Armed Forces for a free soup sample and to learn more about how the military can kickstart your culinary career.
Pop-up Zumba classes and interactive activities from Unity Fitness."

Celebrate Toronto #TO190

Thankfully it did not rain as much as they predicted so the event is running and the crowds are growing in Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Live entertainment us on the stage and the Square is full of vendors, food and beverages. Saturday will feature fireworks at 9pm.

That was a nice 5 minutes of fireworks to celebrate the 190th birthday of Toronto

From the city's website:

"CELEBRATE TORONTO - #TO190

Saturday, March 9, 2024

3:00 p.m.  10:00 p.m.

Nathan Phillips Square (map)

Celebrate Toronto’s 190th Anniversary at Nathan Phillips Square. Over 100 vendors, food trucks, live music, art installations, 19+ bar, and fireworks."

Toronto Bicycle Show and E-Bike Expo

Spring always brings out families that bike together so this is a perfect time to check out thousands of pedal and power assisted bicycles at the Toronto Bicycle Show and E-Bike Expo at Hall 5 of the International Centre from March 8-10, 2024. As our family owns three ebikes (Radcity bikes - yay) we can highly recommend ebikes, especially as you get older and the joints start to go. So stop thinking of bikes as only a way to get to the convenience store, these babies will get you thinking of bike trails and a great day of riding.

This is the 35th annual bike show and ebikes are definitely increasing their presence at the show, with many manufacturers including Audi, Porsche and Yamaha, and styles of the power assisted models, or even electric motorcycles, joining the pedal powered versions. If you are actively looking for a new bicycle there are even test tracks to take the bikes for a spin before buying. 

Besides bikes and accessories there are also a number of trail vacation companies, both Canadian and International (Italy and Quebec have a presence) clubs at the show. You can also enter the draw to win a new custom bike – a Winspace Agile powered by Forza Performance with a value of $9,605 (HST Included).

This bike rack mounts on the roof and can be brought down to load the bikes. Ideal for lightweight bike but for a heavy ebike this might be too hard to load

With so many bikes this is the show to check out the various competitors and get a deal on a new bike

From the the expo's website, "The show will continue to focus on the latest and hottest bicycles, e-bikes, accessories, apparel and more. But this year’s event will be much more that just “business as usual” as the motorsport industry boldly enters the e-bike business. This merging of vehicle and bicycle technology is groundbreaking, and has created exciting new products that take personal transportation to unprecedented new levels of efficiency and enjoyment. This first inperson show in four years reflects these changes and captures that excitement. Equally impressive will be the show’s traditional supporters, names like Bike Depot, Pedalinx, D’Ornellas, Hyper and many others."

Show dates and hours Friday, March 8, 2024: 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday, March 9, 2024: 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday, March 10, 2024: 10 am – 5 pm.