Monument to the White Squirrel at CAMH

Toronto's famous white squirrel was immortalized in a rather large statue, part of CAMH’s Therapeutic Art Installations and sitting in the CAMH adjacent greenspace - TD Commons Park. The 6 foot high white rodent was created by sculptor Brandon Vickerd.

The artist moved from Sarnia to Toronto and while living near Queen West he learned of the white squirrel. The very rare white rodent was spotted around CAMH and eventually became the unofficial mascot of the mental health hospital and lead to the naming of one of their internal roads as White Squirrel Way. During the redevelopment of the site and as part of the Therapeutic Art Installation project the statue was commissioned and later installed in the park in 2019.

Events at Stackt Market Toronto

Stackt Market is an interesting space located at 28 Bathurst Street, just north of Old Fort York and the railway lines, and is made of a combination of steel seacans, or shipping containers and a number of buildings, stores, food and beverage vendors and a craft beer brewery. Besides the stores being a reason to visit the area there are a lot of events and festivals put on throughout the year which you can check out on there website.

Outdoor patios, a basketball court, picnic tables, a dog park, art installations (like the hanging umbrellas) and comfy alcoves make the destination a great way to escape the stress of the city and relax with friends.

Tunnel of Love

Keep alert to some of the following events: Chillin’ & Grillin’ on Sundays, Brews and Chews, Art Month in October and Holiday Hills, a free winter festival.

TinyTO model of downtown Toronto

There is a model of the city's buildings sitting in the lobby of Toronto City Hall, just off to the left as you come in, showing many of the city's iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower and Rogers Centre (note the dome is open) in white. It is modular and ready to be updated as the city evolves.

Humber College through their Centres of Innovation Network has recently partnered with the city to update the tiny model buildings to accurately portray the city's downtown skyline. Students from various school departments (Industrial Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, User Experience Design and Game Programming) using Toronto's 3D Massing info.

The 3D model of the city core has 12 tiles (4×3 grid) with each tile being 1.2m x 1.2m with a model scale of 1:1250

Toronto Rainbow Garden at Bay Adelaide Centre

Colourful metal flowers are sprouting in the middle courtyard of the Bay Adelaide Centre towers, part of the Luminato Festival's Rainbow art installations by Hiromi Tango which includes the Rainbow Wheel at Brookfield Place. This one is Rainbow Garden which includes a circular rainbow platform along with the garden. It is nice to see bursts of colour in the city.

From the festival's website, "Amid the rush of the day, find a moment to pause, play, and reconnect. Three vibrant, site-specific environments—each infused with Hiromi Tango's signature rainbow aesthetic—invite you to explore pathways toward well-being. These installations are designed to spark joy, movement, and reflection, reminding us that mental health is an active, creative practice. WONDER with Rainbow Garden at Bay Adelaide Centre: Immerse yourself in Garden, a whimsical landscape of oversized rainbow flowers and interactive elements. This gentle wonderland invites you to embrace playfulness as a source of joy and renewal."

See more photos of the garden after the jump.

Mirvish Back to the Future The Musical

Went to the Mirvish production of Back to the Future, The Musical which you can find at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria Street, Toronto) until August 31, 2025. This show follows the movie pretty well, dropping the extremist terrorists and adding a case of radiation poisoning along with a bunch of songs - some of them featured in the actual movie, the rest made for this theatre production.

It features many of the movie's characters such as Marty McFly, Doc Brown, George McFly and Biff Tannen and quite a few more. The cast looked and sounded like the movie characters and the songs also used in the movie were excellent, while the new songs were only okay. Where the musical shined was in the stage settings and special effects, they really blew me away, and it appeared that the DeLorean could drive. Marty hits 88 mph in the sports car and moves from 1985 to 1955, starts to change the past and has to find a way to get back to the future while also fixing the past before he leaves. A very enjoyable theatre experience and fans of the movie.

From the Mirvish website, "Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (Back to the Future trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) and directed by the Tony Award®-winner John Rando with original music by multi-Grammy® winners Alan Silvestri (Avengers: Endgame) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”), alongside hit songs from the movie including “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel,” and “Back in Time.”

Toronto 2025 August Long Weekend Activities and Events

It's a toasty weekend coming up, perfect for fun in the sun over the August 2nd to 4th long weekend in Toronto. There are plenty of things to do in the Six including one of the year's biggest events - the Caribbean Carnival Grande Parade. Time to get it done and relax when things are closed on the Monday Civic Holiday.

The largest Caribbean Carnival in North America parade is back in Exhibition Place and onto Lake Shore Boulevard on Saturday, August 2nd. Along Lake Shore the event is mostly free, otherwise you need tickets.

Other events include the following.

Scarborough Rib Fest at Thomson Memorial Park from Friday to Monday.

Toronto Blue Jays home games (if you can afford the new ticket costs) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday against the Royals.

Harbourfront Centre's Island Vibes Saturday and Sunday.

Toronto Food Truck Festival in Woodbine Park on Saturday.
Summer Music in the Music Garden along the Waterfront on Sunday.

And from the City of Toronto's media release.

"City of Toronto to feature fun activities and attractions over the August long weekend

The City of Toronto is offering a wide range of fun activities and attractions for residents and visitors to enjoy over the upcoming Civic Holiday long weekend.

City beaches
The City has 10 supervised swimming beaches to visit and enjoy. Plan your visit and find more information on the City’s beaches webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/beaches.

Outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads
Outdoor pools, splash pads and wading pools are all great ways to beat the summer heat. They will be open throughout the weekend and on Monday, August 4. More information, including hours of operation, is available on the City’s Swimming & Water Play webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/program-activities/swim-water-activities/swimming-water-play.

Whether at the beach or a public pool, residents and visitors are encouraged to practice safe swimming by:
• Swimming only when lifeguards are on duty and within supervised swimming areas.
• Staying within arm’s reach of children who are in or near water.
• Never swimming alone or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen and limiting exposure to heat and sun.
• Calling 911 in case of emergency.

Toronto Island Park 
Toronto Island Park is a popular destination in the summer and, like many other major attractions, will be busy this weekend. People are encouraged to: 
• Buy tickets online before heading to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Online ticket holders can go directly to the ferry boarding line at the terminal.
• Be patient and plan your trip ahead of time.
• Plan travel during non-peak hours – the ferry is busiest from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. when heading to the islands, and from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for return trips to the city, especially from Centre Island.

Visit Toronto’s newest park
Biidaasige Park, Toronto’s newest park, will be open to welcome residents and visitors this weekend. Enjoy ziplines and a waterplay feature along with recreational trails and cycling paths. More information is available online: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/biidaasige-park.
 
Community centres and indoor pools 
Indoor pools and community centres will be open Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, but will be closed on Monday, August 4. Find more information, including a map with amenities, on the Parks & Community Recreation Centres webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/parks-and-recreation-facilities/parks-and-community-recreation-centres-map.
 
Conservatories and greenhouses 
Allan Gardens Conservatory and Centennial Park Conservatory are free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day this long weekend. More information is available on the City’s conservatories webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/gardens-and-horticulture/conservatories.
 
Cultural centres 
Cultural centres will be operating on limited weekend hours and closed on Monday, August 4. Please consult the hours of operations and plan ahead by visiting the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/cultural-centres-galleries.
 
Toronto History Museums 
Fort York National Historic Site and Scarborough Museum are open Saturday, August 2, Sunday, August 3 and Monday, August 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other Toronto History Museums are closed on Monday, August 4 but will operate during their regular hours on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3.

Visitors can enjoy free general admission including site tours, hands-on activities and more. More information is available on the City’s Museums webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums.

Golf at municipal courses 
Toronto’s five municipal golf courses are open throughout the long weekend. Golfers are encouraged to book in advance, which can be done online by visiting the individual golf course webpage or by phone by calling the golf course. 
More information is available on the City’s golf webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/program-activities/sports/golf.

Tennis and pickleball courts 
Public tennis and pickleball courts will be available for use across the city throughout the long weekend. Players are asked to share the courts by limiting their play time to half-hour intervals if others are waiting to use them.  
More information about public courts is available on the City’s tennis webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/parks-and-recreation-facilities/tennis-court-listings/ and the City’s pickleball webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/pickleball-court/index.html.
 
High Park Animal Display
The High Park Animal Display will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the long weekend. Visitors are reminded that roads within High Park are closed to vehicles on weekends and holidays. More information is available on the City’s zoos and farms webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/zoos-farms.
 
Riverdale Farm 
Riverdale Farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the long weekend. More information is available on the City’s Riverdale Farm webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/zoos-farms/riverdalefarm.
 
St. Lawrence Market 
On Sunday, August 3, the Taste of the Caribbean Festival will fill Market Street with the food, crafts and culture of the Caribbean. Visit the vendors and enjoy live music from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  
 
The St. Lawrence Market and the Saturday Farmers’ Market will be open regular hours during the Civic Holiday long weekend:   
•  Saturday, August 2: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Farmer’s Market from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.  
•  Sunday, August 3: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  
•  Monday, August 4: Closed 
 
Toronto Public Library 
All Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches will be closed on Sunday, August 3 and Monday, August 4. For a full list of TPL branches and their hours of operation, visit www.tpl.ca/branches.

TTC 
The TTC will operate on its Holiday service schedule on Monday, August 4. More information is available on the TTC webpage: https://www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/Updates/Holiday-Service.
 
Toronto Zoo 
The Toronto Zoo will be open all three days from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. More information, including how to purchase tickets, is available on the Toronto Zoo’s website: https://www.torontozoo.com.
 
Important reminder about fireworks 
The August Civic Holiday is not a designated fireworks day. Residents are only permitted to set off fireworks on their property if they have obtained a permit from Toronto Fire Services. Fireworks are not allowed in city parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or other private property."

City of Toronto’s newest Park: Biidaasige in the Port Lands

This park has it all, enormous animal sculpture playgrounds (an owl and a raccoon), a couple of ziplines, a water feature, bathrooms, trails and plenty more and I just found out it is now on a new island. Biidaasige Park was built in two phases with the main playground area opening first, later another block will open in 2026. The historic firehall will open later this fall as a public space.

Toronto’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising (pronounced “oh-kway-min min-nih-sing” meaning “place of the black cherry trees”), was created as part of a massive redevelopment as well as flood protection works for the sometimes mighty Don River. Biidaasige Park is located on the south east corner of Cherry and Commissioners streets with a large parking lot across Commissioners Street. First the 50 acre park opens then the revitalization will ultimately house tens of thousands residents and provide thousands of jobs.

From the City's media release, "Visitors to Biidaasige Park (pronounced “bee-daw-sih-geh” and meaning “sunlight shining toward us” in Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwemowin) will discover an array of features designed for all ages and interests. Highlights of the 2025 opening include picnic areas, a vibrant playground featuring larger-than-life animal sculptures representing Anishinaabe, Ongwehonwe, and Huron dodems, Toronto’s first ziplines, and a recreation waterplay feature, the Badlands Scramble. The park also boasts recreational trails and cycling paths, including step-downs to the river for fishing and birdwatching, slips for non-motorized boats, and the Don Greenway wetland for birdwatching. Two dog off-leash areas and a pebble landing area for watercraft further enhance the visitor experience."

Mayor Olivia Chow said, “Today is a historic day for Torontonians with the opening of Biidaasige Park – the largest park in a generation and a beautiful space along the city’s Eastern Waterfront. Thanks to our partnership with the federal and provincial governments and Indigenous partners, we have advanced $2.4 billion to support this new community and advance Indigenous placekeeping in Toronto. Today’s opening of a new park and river are a significant first milestone.”

See more photos of the park after the jump.

OSSFEST Toronto 2025 - Party in the street

It's just one day a year but Ossington Avenue really brings it for the OSSFEST event staged between Dundas Street West and Queen Street West. This year the fun happens Saturday, July 26 from 11am to 11pm. The street was jammed with visitors checking out the entertainment on the stages, the vendors lined up and down the roadway and the many places to pick up some food and beverages.

There were two main stages, one at Dundas and one at Queen, bookmarking the street festival. In between and running into the side streets as well as alleys along the way you could find the Afro Caribbean Market, a busker area and even a wrestling ring with fighters putting on exciting performances from 2-8pm.

SUPERKICKED PRO WRESTLING ROCK SHOW

Afro-Caribbean Food Festival Toronto 2025

The party is just getting started in the Stackt Market for the Foodville: Afro-Caribbean Food Festival. The popular shopping, art and food/beverage hotspot is holding the free culinary and cultural event Saturday, July 26 from noon  onwards.

From the fest website, "Foodville Festival is Toronto’s ultimate celebration of African and Caribbean culture through food, music, and community. The festival features over 50 Black-owned vendors offering food, drinks, artisan goods, and fashion. Guests can enjoy cultural cooking classes hosted by chefs from Jamaica, The Bahamas, Haiti, and Ethiopia; live performances; and music by top international DJs, including Bashment Sound and Chromatic Sound. Hosted by Blue Will and Ada Oh, Foodville is a free, one-day event dedicated to connection, representation, and culinary excellence."

Taste of Vietnam Toronto 2025

A colourful pinwheel tunnel leads to the 2025 Taste of Vietnam Festival in Nathan Phillips Square. The cultural festival runs from July 24 to 26 and includes entertainment as well as a possible dragon.

The lanterns are symbols of light, hope and guidance.

They say that you can look for food, fashion and fun at the event which takes place from 11am to 11pm on the weekend.

See more of the festival after the jump.

Summer on the Toronto waterfront

Harbourfront Centre is cool to hang at throughout summer and into fall with a number of events scheduled, otherwise up and down Queen's Quay you can find restaurants, beach parks and the ferries or water taxis over to the Toronto Islands.

Other events for 2025 include the following.

Summer Music in the Garden: June 21 – August 28, 2025.
Dancing on the Square: July 2 – August 27, 2025, various dance and live music events
Free Flicks: July 8 – August 26, 2025, free outdoor movie screenings.
Island Vibes: August 2–3, 2025.
Habari Africa: August 8–11, 2025, celebrating African cultures.
TAIWANfest: August 22–24, 2025, exploring Taiwan's culture.

Canadian International Air Show: August 30 - September 1.

Now you can find more along the waterfront with the continuing construction of the Port Lands and into Cherry Beach.

Race Day at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto 2025

Sunday comes early when you have a race to win and the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto 2025 is wrapping up July 20th with the 90-lap NTT IndyCar race and Colton Herta will be sitting in the P1 position hoping for another victory. Apparently both Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood are freaking fast!

Pato O'Ward holds up his Champions trophy

Pato O'Ward, Rinus Veekay and Kyffin Simpson during the champagne part of the awards

Update: Fast, yes, just not fast enough. IndyTO 2025 ended with Pato O'Ward 1st, Rinus Veekay 2nd and Kyffin Simpson 3rd on the podium spraying champagne at each other. There were also a few bumps along the way for a few drivers. It was a great end to the IndyCar race weekend.

1st Car #5 Pato O'Ward

2nd Car #18 Rinus VeeKay

3rd Car #8 Kyffin Simpson

You can find my posts of the 2025 Honda Indy race weekend as follows.

Welcome to the Honda Indy: Thursday, July 17

Free Fan Friday: Friday, July 18

Saturday Qualifications: Saturday, July 19

Race Day at the Honda Indy: Sunday, July 20

The IndyCar teams and cars are coming off the track after the early morning warm-up on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Most of the drivers ride around on little standup escooters, leaving the riding scooters in the past and surprisingly some still walk back to the paddock!

The number 14 car of Santino Ferrucci took a big hit in the warmup, hopefully he has time to get his machine back in fighting shape. Update: the AJ Foyt team announced that they have to pull the 14 car out of the race as it was too badly damaged.

NTT IndyCar says, "Last year in this event, the driver of Andretti Global w/ Curb-Agajanian’s No. 26 Gainbridge Honda led a 1-2 team finish with Kyle Kirkwood second. Today, Kirkwood was also second in the No. 27 Silver Gold Bull Honda. Herta’s best lap time was 1 minute, .0578 seconds. Kirkwood’s best was 1:00.1578. The two drivers are about a half-second faster than the next-best driver. Herta has been the top qualifier two of the past three years at this track. "These Andretti guys are freaking fast," Arrow McLaren's Pato O'Ward said after the session."

After Saturday, July 19, the top ten qualifiers including the Firestone Fast Six are as follows.

Firestone Fast Six

1 #26 Herta, Colton 

2 #10 Palou, Alex will use primary tires

3 #66 Armstrong, Marcus 

4 #12 Power, Will

5 #15 Rahal, Graham 

6 #27 Kirkwood, Kyle 

The rest of the top ten qualifiers

7 #45 Foster, Louis (R) will use primary tires

8 #28 Ericsson, Marcus 

9 #18 Veekay, Rinus 

10 #5 O'Ward, Pato 

It rained in the early morning but the weather looks good for the rest of the day. The top 16 teams will mostly be running on their alternate tires and two cars (#4 and #30) will have to start on primary tires.  Car #9 (Scott Dixon) was penalized six grid positions after using too many engines, he starts 17th.

Gates open at 8am and Sunday's schedule starts with an early IndyCar warmup, a few support series races then the headlining NTT IndyCar Series Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race beginning at 12:22pm, then a few more support series races, followed by the track tear down beginning at 4:15pm.

Sunday, July 20 schedule

8:32 a.m. - 8:57 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup
9:25 a.m. - 10:05 a.m. USF2000 Race 2
10:20 a.m. - 11:05 a.m. USF Pro 2000 Race 2

IndyCar Race

11:25 a.m. - Cars to Grid
11:30 a.m. - NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions

11:52 a.m. - Grid Formation

11:59 a.m. - Anthem

12:06 p.m. - Drivers to your cars

12:15 p.m. - Intro to Drivers Start Your Engines
12:22 p.m. Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto (90 Laps)

2:15 p.m. - Estimated start of post race Victory Circle celebrations

Back to the Support Series races
2:50 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Radical Cup Canada Race 2
3:45 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. Miata Canada Cup Race 2

See the gallery of photos of race day after the jump.

Saturday Qualifications at Honda Indy Toronto 2025

Friday's IndyCar practice number one gave the drivers their first crack at the temporary street course, which changes every year, to see what they can do in Toronto and Kyle Kirkwood had the fastest lap, followed by Scott McLaughlin, Alex Palou, Marcus Armstrong and Will Power. Saturday, July 19 is another day and another early practice round (10:30 to 11:30am) with the NTT IndyCar Series qualification and Firestone Fast Six session (2:35 to 4pm) in the afternoon. Qualification is a big deal as the pole position in Toronto gives you a good chance to control the race and take home the Waterford Crystal trophy from William Ashley.

You can find my posts of the 2025 Honda Indy race weekend as follows.

Welcome to the Honda Indy: Thursday, July 17

Free Fan Friday: Friday, July 18

Saturday Qualifications: Saturday, July 19

Race Day at the Honda Indy: Sunday, July 20

Toronto has five current IndyCar drivers that have won at least one race at the Honda Indy Toronto and of the top five drivers in IndyCar standings, only three have not won in Toronto: Alex Palou, Pato O'Ward and Kyle Kirkwood. Kyle has also won the last two street races this year in Long Beach and Detroit.

IndyCar Toronto winners that are driving here in 2025
Colton Herta (2024)
Christian Luundgaard (2023)
Scott Dixon (2022)
Scott Dixon (2018)
Josef Newgarden (2017)
Will Power (2016)
Josef Newgarden (2015)
Scott Dixon (2013)
Scott Dixon (2013)
Will Power (2010)

Will Power (2007)

Colton Herta in the #26 car takes the 2025 Pole Position

Top 5 IndyCar current driver standings 
1 #10 Alex Palou
2 #5 Pato O'Ward
3 #9 Scott Dixon
4 #27 Kyle Kirkwood
5 #7 Christian Lundgaard

The challenging track is open for a few drivers to take the checkered flag during the Sunday, July 20, 2025 90-lap race.

Saturday July 19 schedule includes four races and a test parachute drop by the Skyhawks who will land on the start/finish line (10:10 to 10:15am). The parachute drop did not happen.

Those Radical drivers

8:30 a.m. Gates Open

9:00 a.m. - 9:20 a.m. USF2000 Qualifying 2

9:35 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. USF Pro 2000 Qualifying 2

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2

11:50 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Miata Canada Cup Race 1

12:30 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. Radical Cup Canada Race 1

1:30 p.m. - 2:10 p.m. USF2000 Race 1

2:35 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying

4:20 p.m. - 5:05 p.m. USF Pro 2000 Race 1

6:40 p.m. Ride the Track 2025

The second IndyCar practice had the following top five drivers: 1. Colton Herta, 2. Kyle Kirkwood, 3. Josef Newgarden, 4. Scott McLaughlin and 5. Pato O'Ward. So Kyle is sticking around and could finish on the podium. Let's see what happens in Qualifying.

During the Saturday Qualification session Colton Herta of Andretti Global kept up his winning form and came first and picked up his second NTT P1 Award, two years in a row and his third in Toronto. And he will head into Sunday's race with a good chance to repeat last year's win in the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. Kyle Kirkwood ended up number six in the Firestone Fast Six.

“We have a great car here, it’s plain and simple as you see,” Herta said of the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global w/ Curb-Agajanian that turned the only Firestone Fast Six lap under 1 minute (59.8320 seconds). “I’d like to think (the team’s drivers are) better than everybody else, but the cars are really just that good.