Car-free cycling + subway closures + mac ‘n’ cheese = balanced Toronto weekend

By Amber LeBlanc and Diana Pereira

If you want to feel better about the mac ‘n’ cheese you may consume this weekend, you can balance it off with a walk through Riverdale to see some art, show off your pride in Centreville or sweat it out on the car-free DVP and Gardiner Expressway. This weekend has events for every tastebud.

However you choose to spend your weekend, remember to check out the subway and road closures listed below. (Yes, the Bloor line between Pape and St. George will be on the out again, this time for track work.)

Events

Ride for Heart 2016

It’s ultimate freedom for cyclists and runners this Sunday: The DVP and Gardiner will be shut down from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. between the 401 and Carlaw/Humber Bridge for the annual Heart & Stroke Foundation’s Ride for Heart.

New this year: a 5 or 10km walk to experience the magic of being on the car-free roadways.

Twenty-thousand people are expected to take part, and the fundraising goal is $7 million.

Ride for Heart Photo via support.heartandstroke.ca

The Foundation says the money is needed for research because someone dies from heart disease or stroke every seven minutes in this country.

You can register as a cyclist, runner or walker here.

Riverdale Art Walk

Take a relaxing stroll along Queen Street East, checking out 180 local artists in the 18th annual Riverdale Art Walk.

Organizers say it will be bigger and better than ever with artists from all mediums including painting, photography, mixed media, printmaking, drawing and sculpture.

Riverdale Art Walk Photo via artistsnetwork.ca

It runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You can check out the gallery of all featured artists here.

It’s taking place alongside Riverside Beats and Eats, which takes over 10 blocks of Queen East between the DVP to just past Degrassi Street.

Riverside Beats and Eats Image via riverside-to.com

All kinds of businesses will be participating with local restaurants serving up food with lots of music and events for families.

First Annual Family Pride Day

Centre Island will have its First Annual Family Pride Day on Sunday at Centreville from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Centreville Photo via pridetoronto.com

The park boasts more than 20 food outlets and more than 30 rides. Admission is free and ride tickets are discounted with the code “Pride2016” at centreisland.ca.

Mac ‘n’ Cheese Festival

After the chaos at last year’s event, let’s hope this year is less, well, cheesy. Or more? Last year, lineups stretched a number of blocks, the wait was sometimes 90 minutes and then the food ran out.

This year, the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Festival is bring hosted over three days instead of one, starting Friday until Sunday. (Friday: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.)

Macaroni and cheese Photo via macandcheesefestival.ca/

Hosted on more than 600,000 square feet of event space at Ontario Place, there will be macaroni and cheese (obviously), craft beer and cider, a food truck “island,” a market, live entertainment, and a cooking stage.

The Fair Trade Show

If you’re concerned about being socially conscious and environmentally-friendly, the Fair Trade Show is focusing on promoting businesses that do the same.

Fair Trade Show Photo via thefairtradeshow.com

There is a long list of exhibitors who will pack the Enercare Centre and Exhibition Place, including Fair Trade Toronto, Not Just Tourists, She Sells Sanctuary, Cocobliss Naturals, and Fair Trade Jewellery Company, among others.

The show is on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

TTC and road closures

Subway closure on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth

There is no subway service between Pape to St. George this Saturday. The TTC will be doing track work and shuttle buses will be servicing all the stops. In order to help the shuttle buses run more efficiently, parking will be restricted in the following locations:

  • St George Street to Avenue Road
  • Church Street to Ted Rogers Way
  • Huntley Street to Sherbourne Street

 

DVP and Gardiner closures

The Don Valley Parkway is scheduled to be be closed between Highway 401 to the Gardiner Expressway from 2 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday due to the Ride for Heart. The Gardiner Expressway will also be closed, from Carlaw Avenue and the Humber Bridge, for the same event.

A full list of road closures in the city this weekend can be found on the city’s website.

Below is a map of the ongoing road closures in Toronto due to construction. Click here for a mobile-friendly link.

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