Canadian International Air Show 2024

Toronto has been prepping for the end of summer Canadian National Exhibition and the associated Air Show beginning on Thursday when some of the aircraft were touching down at Pearson Airport. Friday was the practice and the big show in the sky starts Saturday, August 31 and continues until Monday, Sept 2, 2024 (daily from noon till 3:40pm).

This year the Canadian International Air Show, held in Toronto along the shoreline of  Lake Ontario as part of the CNE, hits a 75 year anniversary, just slightly under the 100 year anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The easiest way to see the show is stick to the Lake Shore, including the CIAS special event area in Marilyn Bell Park (tickets required) or along the parks lining the lake. Another great place to watch is from the Toronto Islands, specifically along the Hanlan Beach area (please note the whole beach is now clothing optional, so be prepared). Take a water taxi if the ferry boats are full.

RAF Red Arrows

Here is a list of the aircraft taking part in the show, note some planes are only making an appearance on specific days so check their schedule on the website. You can also find a link to the live audio of the air show commentary on the website (also here at this link: https://cias.org/2024-cias-commentary/ ).

CF18 Demo

USAF F22 Raptor

Aerial performers for 2024

Canadian Forces Snowbirds

Royal Air Force Red Arrows

P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight

U.S.A.F F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team

CF-18 Demonstration Team

Douglas C-47 Dakota (Aug. 31 only)

Avro Lancaster Mk. X with the B-25 Mitchell Mk III (Sept. 1 & 2 only)

Kyle Fowler & The Long EZ

Trevor Rafferty Pitts 12

Redline Airshow’s Van’s RV-8

CL-415 Waterbomber

RCAF Chinook helicopter

Harvard MK II

The Waterbomber takes a shot

Canadian Forces Snowbirds

Toronto's Sneaky Dee's

Finally stopped by the bar with the crazy graffiti signs called Sneaky Dee's at the corner of College and Bathurst streets. It is definitely not a glitzy Tex-Mex restaurant. Described as an unassuming bar that is also a concert venue with live music and DJs.

I just went for a couple of pints and the price of drinks was low and I had two draft amber beers for just a little over $10 dollars, sitting in the sun on the patio and watching the world go by. Apparently the site was to be demolished as part of a redevelopment but the plans are on hold now. This is one of the few old, iconic bars that helped shape entertainment in the city. Hopefully the food, beverages and music will flow for a while longer.

The eclectic establishment is full of wonky graffiti that continues downstairs and into the bathrooms.

They don't take reservations or debit cards so plan accordingly.

Toronto Mabuhay Philippines Festival 2024

Nathan Phillips Square is hosting the 2024 Mabuhay Philippines Festival from August 24 to 25 to celebrate Filipino culture and 75 years of Canadian Philippine friendship. You can find vendors and booths with food along with fashion and arts as well as entertainment on the main stage.

Battle at the Square Basketball tournament

The weekend festival will have beautiful Philippine dancing, music and fashion as Canadian diversity is celebrated during this, the 26th annual event brought to you by the Philippine Independence Day Council.

Yorkville Murals

The ritzy neighborhood of Yorkville was taken over by art for the August 24 to 25, 2024 weekend. Beautiful weather is back in the Six so why not enjoy something outdoors in Toronto. YVM, or Yorkville Murals promises no empty spaces as the event takes place along Yorkville Avenue between Bellair Street and Hazelton Avenue.

@jmhcet Deep underground in the dark lower Bay St #ttc #subwaystation for end-to-end #artinstallation as part of #YorkvilleMurals. #YorkvilleMurals2024 ♬ original sound - jmhcet

Also very cool is the art installation down deep in the mostly unused, post apocalyptic lower Bay ttc subway station. Believe it or not this is the first time I have been deep in the bowels of this particular station, often used in movies, because it is usually too busy during nuit blanche and other events.

@jmhcet #yorkvilleMurals art installation on top of the parking structure. #relax #artinstallation 2024. #yorkvillemurals2024 #inflatable ♬ original sound - jmhcet

When you look up at a certain parking structure you can see a purple inflatable spelling out RELAX. It is on the fourth floor and I think they are having an after party up there as well. Plus there is an additional installation of orange arches up there.

From YVM's website "Toronto’s most captivating art and muralism festival returns August 24-25th with a second iteration of the theme No Empty Spaces. Celebrating its sixth year of the festival, Yorkville Murals will transform the street into a cultural extravaganza, where visitors will be entertained with every step. Yorkville Murals will deliver participatory entertainment and play. Through captivating murals, inflatables, art installations, live painting, art talks, music, dance battles, pop-up shops and an evening block party, culture lovers will want to come back daily to experience the fun."

CIAS Toronto Air Show coming Labour Day weekend 2024

The Canadian National Exhibition has opened, so that means that Toronto's 75th annual Canadian International Air Show will be coming soon to the skies of the city on the lake across from Exhibition Place. In just over a week the high flying 2024 show will take place Saturday, August 31 to Labour Day Monday, September 2, appearing daily from noon till 3:40pm. And don't forget about Friday's practice session.

The F22 Raptor taking part in a previous CIAS

This year's show will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and there will be two jet demonstration teams taking part in 2024 - the venerable Canadian Forces Snowbirds along with the Royal Air Force Acrobatic team the Red Arrows.

2024 CIAS performers

Canadian Forces Snowbirds
Royal Air Force Red Arrows
P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight
U.S.A.F F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team
CF-18 Demonstration Team
Douglas C-47 Dakota (Aug. 31 only)
Avro Lancaster Mk. X with the B-25 Mitchell Mk III (Sept. 1 & 2 only)
Kyle Fowler & The Long EZ
Trevor Rafferty Pitts 12
Redline Airshow’s Van’s RV-8
CL-415 Waterbomber

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat

Three polar bears are currently in the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat in Northern Ontario - Ganuk, Henry and Inukshuk. These bears are in the facility that cares for polar bears that require human assistance and the site includes a small lake that they swim and play in, although it is hard to see them as they are farther away.

Holding a watermelon. You can watch the tik tok video of the polar bear diving for a watermelon here.

They wander several different areas in the 24 acre facility including a pool area with windows into a viewing area where you can watch the staff throw watermelons into the water and have the bears jump into the pool to grab them. There is also an adjacent area with a window into the grassed area and you can avoid the double row of fences for better photos.

See more of the polar bear after the jump.

Road Trip Giant Loonie in Echo Bay

A giant loonie stands in Echo Bay, a small town between Lake Huron and Lake Superior near the Canada US border. The Canadian currency that took over the dollar bill some time ago was designed by artist and resident of the township Robert Carmichael and to honour Robert they constructed and dedicated the monument in 1992.

The small town is part of the geographic North Shore of Lake Superior and helps to bridge the Near North of Ontario to Northern Ontario.

It is a fine example of adding giant or unusual attractions to bring in tourists passing through the area and we gladly made the little detour to see the monument. It was similar to the Twoonie monument in Cambellford located between Toronto and Ottawa. See more photos after the jump.

Road Trip Northern Ontario

The journey home back to the GTA started at Thunder Bay, pretty close to the north-western limit of Lake Superior. Highways 11 and 17 (the Trans-Canada Highway are joined here) and you can find the Terry Fox Lookout and monument overlooking Thunder Bay and the highway just to the east of the city. Terry's famous planned run across Canada began on the east coast and unfortunately ended on the Trans-Canada just a short way from where they placed the monument.

A picture of Terry during the Marathon of Hope along with a route map of his journey

We decided to take the more norther route of Highway 11, also identified as part of the Trans-Canada Highway which runs in a circular path from Nipigon to North Bay and down into Barrie where it joins Highway 400 towards Toronto. People often ask why you would take this route because they consider it to be lonelier and less scenic as well as having fewer gas stations along the route. However it is spectacular north of Nipigon before it settles down into the more level Boreal Forest, winding around lakes and larger hills. Just fill up your gas when you get a chance, even if you are filling the tank when it is only half way down.

The attractions we wanted to see made it a priority that we take this route home, including Beardmore with the giant snowman, Hearst with its Moose versus Wolf statue, the flying saucer in Moonbeam, Cochranes polar bears and Earl the Big Bison of Steel in Earlton.

Beardmore's Snowman is the World's largest at 35 feet high. In summer he holds a fishing rod, in winter it is a curling broom all the while wearing a black top hat, sunglasses and a smile.

Staying overnight in Hearst, Ontario we hope for more of the aurora but the overcast skies would not allow a view if they made an appearance. A unusual metal dome was north of us and I asked a local what it was and found out it was a long unused wood burning dome from an old sawmill location. Wood products and mining have long been one of the main products of the north and even today you can see large sites with wood operations or mines, especially gold mines with their huge tailing piles.

See more of the north route after the jump.

Road Trip Lake Superior Northern Lights

Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, came out to play on Sunday, August 11, 2024 in the skies above Lake Superior. We were in Terrace Bay, between Marathon and Thunder Bay. The motel we stayed in was right beside the lighthouse.

I finally experienced the lights and found out what they looked like in person. They look like ribbons of vertical clouds. They are duller when viewed by sight especially when you have some light pollution, though you can still see the shimmering. Using a phone or camera you can really see the colour of the lights pop. I used my Samsung phone on night photo to get these shots. Our lights were green but I gave seen some other photos from Ontario and some had blue colours.

I also saw a shooting star going north to south but I don't know if it was part of the Perseid Meteor Showers.

See more of the aurora after the jump.

Road Trip Lake Superior

The weather has been angry but the skies were beautiful. Waves crash into the big rock in Lake Superior Provincial Park - Agwa Bay. This land is the opposite of the prairies, it is made of brutal rock, mini mountains and a giant boreal forest that stretches across the continent.

Walking along the beach you can find many thousands of beautiful rocks, tumbled to smooth finish, and full of beautiful colours. It's hard not to take a few souvenir rocks home with you.

The giant goose in Wawa

Youngs General Store, Wawa

See more of the Lake Superior North Shore after the jump.

Activities and attractions for the 2024 Toronto August long weekend

This is one of the biggest weekends in the city as the Caribbean Carnival, Harbourfront Island Soul festival, the anniversary of Emancipation Day, among other Toronto events, that really says "welcome to summer!" And what better way to remind us to use public transit than road closures for construction, festivals and parades. Try to leave early to avoid crowds like those found during hot weekends at the Toronto Ferry Docks (use water taxi if you can). Simcoe Day is Monday, August 5 and TTC will be operating on a Sunday service schedule, GO Transit will be on a Saturday schedule.

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival has events from August 1 to August 4, 2024 with the Grand Parade on Saturday, August 3 starting in Exhibition Place. The parade route is as follows.

"The Grand Parade will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024. The parade will depart Exhibition Place Grounds at Princes' Boulevard, to Canada Boulevard, to westbound Lake Shore Boulevard West. The parade will travel westbound along Lake Shore Boulevard West and will turn approximately 100 metres west of Jameson Avenue and then travel eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard West. The masquerade bands will return to Exhibition Place at British Columbia Road." Additional details can be found on the TPS media release.

To cheer on Canadian Athletes in the 2024 Olympics you can attend the free Team Canada FanFest at CF Shops at Don Mills August 3-5, from 10am daily. "Team Canada FanFest will offer Olympic fans the opportunity to watch the Games with family and friends, Olympic athlete appearances, and live performances featuring Canadian music artists. Fans will also be able to experience Olympic sports, and engage with a roster of exciting and immersive Team Canada partner activations. Team Canada FanFest will be hosted live by two-time Olympic champion Catriona Le May Doan, alongside Olympians Gilmore Junio (Calgary), Cynthia Appiah (Toronto), and Maxime Dufour-Lapointe (Montreal)."

I was intrigued with a Saturday event called the "Toronto Gone Wild Exhibition" but it totally wasn't what I expected.

Additionally the City has released the following information and links regarding fun activities and attractions for this August Civic long weekend.

City Beaches

"Soak up some sun and enjoy one of the city’s beaches this long weekend. The City encourages residents and visitors to enjoy the water safely this weekend 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.
Find more information and a map with all the beaches 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 options to stay cool this summer and will be open throughout the weekend and on Monday. More information about outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads including hours of operation are 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/.

Toronto Island Park
Toronto Island Park is a popular destination and like many other major attractions will be busy this weekend. The City strongly encourages residents and visitors to:
• Be patient and plan ahead
• Plan travel during non-peak hours – the ferry is busiest from 10 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.
• Buy tickets online before heading to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Online ticket holders enter the terminal through a separate line during busy travel times.
More information about ferry services including online ticket purchases please visit the City’s Toronto Ferries webpage: http://toronto.ca/ferries.

Community Centres and Indoor Pools
Indoor pools and community centres (https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/parks-and-recreation-facilities/parks-and-community-recreation-centres-map/) will be open Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4, but will be closed on Monday, August 5.

Conservatories & greenhouses
Allan Gardens Conservatory and Centennial Park Conservatory are free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 5. More information including hours of operation is available on the City’s Cultural Centres & Galleries webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/cultural-centres-galleries/.

Golf at municipal courses
Toronto’s five municipal golf courses are open daily throughout the long weekend. Golfers are encouraged to book in advance. Tee times can be booked:
• online by visiting the individual course page
• 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/.

High Park Animal Display
The High Park Animal Display will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. all weekend. Residents and visitors are reminded that roads within High Park are closed to vehicular traffic on weekends and holidays. More information is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/zoos-farms/.

Riverdale Farm
Admission is free to Riverdale Farm which will be open to the public 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 4, 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 Farmer’s Market will be open during the Civic Holiday long weekend for regular business hours:
• Saturday, August 3: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Farmer’s Market 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, August 4: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, August 5: Closed

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 Court Listing webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/tennis/index.html.
More information can also be found on the City’s Pickleball Court webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/pickleball-court/index.html.

Toronto History Museums
Toronto History Museums sites are open on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free activities and programs through the weekend. More information at the City’s Festival and Events calendar (http://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/exhibits-events). Fort York is open on Monday, August 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other museum sites are closed on August 5. (Note: Fort York has the Summer Experience on Saturday from 11am till 5pm with site grounds open at 10am. Your visit to the historic site could take in tours, musket demonstrations and more. The fort is open on the Civic holiday and closed Tuesday.)

Toronto Public Library
All Toronto Public Library branches will be closed on Sunday August 4 and Monday, August 5. Visit the Toronto Public Library webpage (https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/) for a complete list of branches and hours of operation.
Residents are encouraged to download and stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies and music by visiting the eBooks & Online content webpage on the Toronto Public Library webpage: http://www.tpl.ca/downloads.

TTC
The TTC will operate on its Holiday service schedule on the Civic Holiday. More information is available on the TTC webpage: http://www.ttc.ca/.

Toronto Zoo
Guests can join the Toronto Zoo in celebrating the ‘50 Day ZOObilee Countdown’ to its 50th birthday on Thursday, August 15.
More information including details about the 50th anniversary celebration, hours of operation and ticket information 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."

Island Soul festival on now at Harbourfront Centre

It's an extended August long weekend at Harbourfront Centre as they celebrate Caribbean culture along with Emancipation Day with the 26th annual Island Soul festival August 1 to 5, 2024. Food, music, performances and art will help showcase the Caribbean influences that are now enjoyed around the world.

Emancipation Day marks the end of slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834 and in 2022 Canada designated the celebrations as a national historic event. In Toronto we also celebrate Emancipation Month throughout August.

Looking toward harbourfront from a Toronto Ferry

Island Soul, produced by Harbourfront's Arinola Olowoporoku, includes both free and ticketed events over the weekend featuring live dancehall, Soca, and reggae performances, to multidisciplinary arts, comedy, film, fun family activities along with the food of the islands. You can take in comedians, DJs and musicians throughout the day and night. You can also take part in drumming workshops and visit the shops in the marketplace and food vendors as well.

Event Highlights provided by Harbourfront include:

Comedy Night with Trixx and Friends - Aug. 1 at 8pm, tickets starting at $30

North America’s top comedians hit the stage for an evening of hilarious stand-up with Canadian comedy legend Trixx, who brings his boundary-pushing humour and bang-on commentary on pop culture, relationships and being Black in Canada.

Empress Mash Up Rayzalution Band - Aug. 3 at 4pm Free

Di empress dem ah mash up di place! Empress Mash Up is an all-female reggae jam session featuring four dynamic solo artists with distinct styles of reggae, dancehall and R&B backed by a seven-piece reggae band.

Johnny Osbourne and Hardcore Band - Aug. 3 at 7pm Free

Johnny Osbourne, the “Dancehall Godfather” and living legend of classic hits like “Buddy Bye” and “Water Pumping,” is bringing his best Jamaican reggae and dancehall to Island Soul for a night of rhythm and soul.

The Clash! Dj Starting from Scratch vs the Recipee Band - Aug. 3 at 8:30pm Free

A head-to-head mash-up of sound-crushing sets with The Recipee Band and DJ Starting from Scratch. Hosted by “Canada’s King of Comedy '' Jay Martin, expect an explosive musical rivalry onstage where the crowd chooses the victor.

Etana - Aug. 4 at 7:30pm Free

Jamaican singer and songwriter Etana returns for a live outdoor performance, bringing her trademark soul-soaked sounds and honey-laced vocals, where she will play a setlist of her reggae fan favourites infused with R&B.

From Jamaica to Toronto with love Jay Douglas - Aug. 4 at 9:30pm Free

JUNO Award nominee, music producer and band leader of The Jay Douglas All-Star band, Jay Douglas brings his reggae rhythms to the stage. From his roots in Montego Bay, Jamaica, his soulful voice and energetic stage presence make him a standout in the reggae music scene.