Moms rule this weekend’s event roundup across the city

In case you need a reminder, Mother’s Day is on Sunday. While mom should be celebrated every day, there are plenty of things to do around town this weekend to mark the occasion.

Aside from mom’s day, three walks are also taking place in the city, two to benefit charities. There will some road closures associated with one of them.

As you make your plans, keep in mind a portion of Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) is closed this weekend for TTC work.

---

Things to do with mom

Something sweet
Forget about just giving your mom a box of truffles, take her on a chocolate and sweets tour instead. Tasty Tours Toronto is offering tours all weekend, one on Saturday and two on Mother’s Day. There is also a chocolate workshop on Sunday … you can never have too much chocolate. Prices vary for the tours.

Something savoury
Whether it is just you and mom, or the entire family, enjoy a traditional brunch or dinner buffet at the Old Mill on Sunday, featuring meat and seafood dishes, cheese platters, an assortment of vegetables, and rice pilaf, to name a few. Of course, a meal would not be complete without dessert like tortes and pastries. Click here for the menu and buffet rates.

 

Cruisin’ on a Sunday afternoon
A scrumptious brunch followed by an afternoon cruise along the city’s waterfront is a lovely way to spend Sunday with mom.

Mariposa Cruises has two cruises, one on its Northern Spirit boat and another on the Showboat. Each comes with brunch, a two-hour cruise, a welcome mocktail, a complimentary rose for mom, and a free family portrait.

 

The Northern Spirit cruises along the harbourfront and around the Toronto Islands, while the Showboat cruises through the Toronto Island waterways.

Click here for more information and cost details.

Mom and baby love at the zoo
What better way to spend Mother’s Day than by visiting the animal moms and their offspring at the Toronto Zoo.

Over the past year, there has been plenty of baby love at the zoo with the adorable giant panda, polar bear, rhino and white lion cubs being born with weeks of each other. Take your mom to the zoo on Sunday and learn more about the animal moms and their babies.

(Click here to watch the video on mobile.)

While everyone will be ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ over the super cute cubs, don’t forget to dote on the mothers too – polar bear Aurora, Indian rhino Ashakiran, white lion Makali and giant panda Er Shun.

Light refreshments will be served (the animals get their own treats), and grandmothers, moms and daughters can win some prizes. Tickets are $12 for members and $15 for non-members (including taxes).

De-clutter with mom
If your mum is a neat freak, nothing would make her more happy than to hang out at the Barns Upcycle.

Held at the Artscape Wychwood Barns from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, the an upcycle promotes the idea of converting unwanted materials into new products. The event features a clothing repair-a-thon, mother-to-mother sale, and more.

Other events

Sporting Life 10K
Expect one major road closure (but also smaller ones) as 25,000 people raise money for Camp Oochigeas in one of the most popular races in the city.

The Sporting Life 10K starts at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday along Yonge Street at the Sporting Life near Roselawn Avenue, and goes all the way down Yonge, turning left on Richmond Street downtown, continuing through the Entertainment District and ending at Fort York.

The race is fully sold out, but people are encouraged to line the route to cheer on the runners.

 

Meagan’s Walk
The 15th annual Meagan’s Walk is set for Saturday, honouring a brave five-year-old girl who died of a cancerous brain tumour in 2001. Her parents created the walk in order to raise money for the Hospital for Sick Children.

Participants will be walking from Fort York to the hospital in a five-kilometre route. Besides the walk, there will also be face painting and live music and entertainment. To get your team into the walk, email walkteam@meaganswalk.com.

 

Jane’s Walk events
Toronto is honouring one of its most famous urban pioneers, Jane Jacobs. The 10th anniversary of Jane’s Walk is set for this weekend, a few days after what would have been Jacobs’ 100th birthday.

Taking a Jane’s Walk allows you to explore the city, meet your neighbours and talk about issues affecting the city. You can find a list of the different walks here.

Blossom and Bloom
The hustle and bustle of Union Station will have a flowery respite this Friday and Saturday. The annual Blossom and Bloom show takes place in the newly renovated West Wing and Oak Room.

 

The show transforms the area into a floral wonderland, with the plants and other crafts for sale. There will also be a large sculpture flower garden, live music and a complimentary henna station. Admission is free.

TTC/road closures

Sporting Life 10K
On Sunday, Yonge Street will be closed from Lawrence to Eglinton avenues from 4:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Fort York Blvd will also be closed from Bathurst Street to Lakeshore Boulevard from 4:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Along the route, the following closures will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.:

• Yonge Street from Eglinton Avenue to Richmond Street
• Richmond Street from Yonge Street to Peter Street
• Peter Street/Blue Jays Way between Richmond Street and Front Street
• Westbound Front Street from Blue Jays Way and Bathurst Street
• Bathurst Street from Front Street to Fort York Boulevard
• Fort York Boulevard between Bathurst Street to Fleet Street

 

The intersection will reopen to motorists after runners pass the area. All roads are expected to re-open by 12:30 p.m.

Meagan’s Walk
Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, participants will make their way along sidewalks from the Fort York National Historic Site to the Hospital for Sick Children.

Elizabeth Street, from Gerrard to Elm streets, will be closed from 4 a.m. to around 4 p.m. However, drivers can expect minor delays as the walkers cross major intersections.

University of Toronto Science Rendezvous
George Street, from College to Harbord streets, will be closed in both directions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Road work
Bayview Avenue from River to Queen streets is closed in both directions until May 20 for road repairs.

Gerrard Street, from Yonge to Church streets, will be closed until the end of July for watermain replacement, road resurfacing and bike lane and sidewalk upgrades.

Westbound Lake Shore Boulevard, from York Street to Rees Street, will be reduced to one lane except from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays when two lanes will be open. The closure, which is for Toronto Hydro work, is expected to be completed on July 27.

Richmond Street, from Yonge to Bay streets, is also reduced to two lanes until July 1 for road and sidewalk repairs. One lane will be used for cyclists and pedestrians.

Partial Line 2 closure
Subways won’t be running on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) between Bathurst and Jane stations this weekend due to track work. Shuttle buses will stop at all stations.

 

Next Sunday (May 15), subway service along Pape to St. George stations will start later (exact time to be determined) due to bridge work on the Prince Edward Viaduct.