First weekend of fall is here: what you need to know

By: Patricia D’Cunha and Amber LeBlanc

It’s the first weekend of fall and there’s no shortage of things to do in the city and beyond to celebrate the start of the new season. Quench your thirst at the Toronto Cider Festival and devour some chocolate at Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show.

The vibrant season also brings with it optimism and hope with the Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer charity event.

As you make your plans, plan ahead for some closures as well. The Don Valley Parkway will be closed for a portion of the weekend, and the SRT will be shut down the entire weekend.

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Road closures

DVP fall maintenance
The Don Valley Parkway will be closed in both directions between Highway 401/404 and the Gardiner Expressway from 12:01 a.m. on Sunday to 5 a.m. on Monday for fall maintenance.

 

Nutrience Oakville Half Marathon
Lakeshore Road West from Third Line to Dorval Drive will be closed from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. on Sunday. Jones Street is off-limits from Rebecca Street to Lakeshore from 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Harvest Festival
Drivers won’t be able to access two eastbound lanes of Dundas Street West from Runnymede Road to Fisken Avenue from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Toronto 10 Miler and 5K
Road closures will be in effect in the Port Lands area – Cherry and Leslie streets, and Lake Shore Boulevard – from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Note: Consult the list again on Friday for added/updated closures.

TTC closure

SRT shutdown
If you’re a transit rider in Scarborough, give yourself some extra time. There’s no train service on the SRT (Line 3) between Kennedy and McCowan stations on Saturday and Sunday.

The TTC says crews will be conducting upgrades and maintenance work on signals, cables, wiring and the power rail.

Replacement shuttle buses will be running and stopping at all stations.

501 Queen streetcar on diversion

For the next two weekends – Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-4 – the 501/301 Queen streetcars will divert west of Greenwood Avenue.

Crews will be replacing worn rails at the streetcar stops on Queen Street at Alton Avenue and Laing Street.

The 501 and 301 Queen streetcars will divert using Broadview Avenue, Gerrard Street and Coxwell Avenue.

A replacement bus service will be provided on Queen between the Neville Park Loop and the intersection of Queen and River streets.

Regular service will resume on Monday morning.

Events

Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show
Bake up some fun this weekend by taking a gourmet tour with delectable treats around every corner. The baking and sweets show, which is one of North America’s biggest event of its kind, runs from Friday to Sunday at the Toronto Congress Centre. This year’s theme is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Click here for ticket prices.

 

Toronto Cider Festival
Toast the first weekend of fall with a brand new event at Yonge-Dundas Square. Taking place on Saturday, the Toronto Cider Festival will give you a chance to try a variety hard ciders from around the country. There will also be food trucks on hand and music during the day and evening sessions. Ticket prices are $30 and $60.

Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer
Car! Road hockey warriors will face off on Saturday for a very good cause. It features over 100 teams playing and raising money for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. A number of celebrities are set to attend including Johnny Bower, Glenn Healy, Paul Henderson and Eric Lindros.

Nutrience Oakville Half Marathon
There’s still time to register for one of the last running events of the season. The annual Oakville event, which takes place on Sunday, includes a half-marathon, 10K run/walk, 10K student relay, 5K run/walk, and a 2K run/walk.

Word on the Street Festival
If the sight and smell of books makes you do the happy dance, then this is the place for you on Sunday. This year, the book and literacy celebration is taking over Harbourfront Centre. You can browse through several book stalls, listen to book readings, attend literary workshops, and meet authors from various genres. Admission is free.

 

Woofstock
Are you blue about summer’s departure? You need to accentuate the “paws-itive” like our furry friends will be doing this weekend at Woodbine Park, home to the largest outdoor festival for dogs in North America. Your pooch can check out the latest in dog treats, meet up with other pals, and show off their tricks. Admission is free for humans and doggies.

Pedestrian Sundays at Kensington Market
Walking into Kensington Market feels like strolling through another world, one where people can freely roam about without having to worry about cars being in their way. The street festival in the eclectic neighbourhood, which features artists, musicians and food vendors, will be held on Oct. 25. Admission is free.

 

Food Truck Festival Ontario
Get your food trucks here! The Sunday festival at Downsview Park will dish out the best food trucks across Ontario, including BeaverTails, Buster’s Sea Cove, My Sticky Rice and Meltdown Cheesery. General admission is $10 plus tax.