Star Wars in Concert in Toronto

The Toronto Symphony Ochestra is blasting us into space during the Star Wars Empire Strikes Back in concert at Roy Thomson Hall.

There are even Star Wars cosplayers to pose with and merchandise for sale. It really was a fantastic experience.

Ticket renewals open today for 2025 #indyTO

The 2025 action packed Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto will return to Exhibition Place July 16-18 and today is the beginning of ticket renewal purchases (May 21) while public sales of tickets will begin June 6 (starting at 10am). Fans who purchased 2-Day Grandstand tickets for the 2024 event can look at renewing their seats until June 2nd (5pm) and note that each 2-Day Grandstand ticket renewed for this year's Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto includes a complimentary NTT IndyCar Series Paddock Pass with an $80 value. On June 3rd renewal ticket purchasers can also update or adjust their seat locations if they were looking to move to new available seats.

From IndyTO, "This great Canadian summer tradition returns to Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto for its 37th running on July 18-20, 2025. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the headline on-track feature with additional race series including Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin sports cars and the next generation of open-wheel stars from USF Pro 2000 and USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire adding to an action-filled schedule. Off track, festival-goers can enjoy numerous interactive displays and diverse food and beverage offerings across the Exhibition Place grounds."

“The anticipation grows for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto with the start of ticket renewals tomorrow. World-class racing on the downtown city streets and along Lake Ontario will be surrounded by a vibrant festival setting on the Exhibition Place grounds," said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. “It’s time again for great racing and exhibits, food and fun for all ages during this premier event on Ontario’s summer calendar.”

Second Harvest Truck Pull Challenge Toronto 2025

Charity fundraising brought together volunteer teams that competed in a truck pulling challenge down at Toronto City Hall on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, raising funds for the Second Harvest's food rescue and redistribution works.

From the Harvest's website, "The Second Harvest Truck Pull Challenge is a unique team challenge that puts your strength and teamwork to the test. Teams of 10 compete head-to-head in a tournament format to pull a 20,000-pound delivery truck across Nathan Phillips Square in the fastest time."

Three trucks were lined up with chains ready for pulling in Nathan Phillips Square

Blossoms still making Toronto beautiful

 

Cherry blossoms have peaked but there is still a lot of beauty in Toronto as other trees, like the Chinese redbud pink blossoms and lilacs come out to play.

Enjoying the atmosphere in Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Neon Riders Toronto Cherry Blossom Ride 2025

Bike riders, roller bladers, skateboarders and a few other modes of transport were are out on the streets of Toronto for the Neon Riders event - Cherry Blossom Ride 2025. Eighty five participants gathered on Friday, May 2nd at Nathan Phillips Square at 7pm before heading off on the first ride of their season.

Riders starting to gather at city hall

From their facebook page, "Neon Riders is a group for Rave night bike rides in Toronto. We usually meet on Thursday evenings at Nathan Phillips Square from May to October. Every ride is posted in the Events section along with a detailed route and pitstops." The ride was originally scheduled for the Thursday but rain forecasted throughout the day necessitated a move to the Friday.

The twenty kilometre night time route took in downtown Toronto's blossom hotspots, starting with a small park on Cherry Street with stops taking in 15 min breaks and mini-raves at several locations.

Stopping at the Toronto Music Garden

The route was described as follows, "We'll be travelling Clockwise on this 20 km route, starting and ending at Nathan Phillips Square.
Pitstops are as follows:
Pitstop #1 - Old Cherry St. and Villiers St. ~ 8:30 pm
Pitstop #2 - Toronto Music Garden ~ 9:30 pm
Pitstop #3 - Princess Margaret Fountain ~ 10:30 pm
Pitstop #4 - Trinity Bellwoods Park. ~ 11:30 pm"