August long weekend need to know: Events; what’s open/closed

By Samantha Knight and Patricia D'Cunha

Good news: The August long weekend is upon us. Bad news: It is the second-last long weekend of the summer. But let’s not dwell on the negative. Instead, put all your energy into planning your much-needed three-day weekend. That’s three days of fun in the sun.

The highlight of the weekend was the Toronto Caribbean Carnival parade, which danced its way along a stretch of Lake Shore Boulevard on Saturday.

Civic Day goes by different names in other provinces and even in different cities in Ontario. In Toronto, the day is known as Simcoe Day. Since Monday is a civic holiday, most stores and malls will be open. Below is a list of what’s open and closed.

If you plan on exploring the city this long weekend, the TTC is extending its weekend day pass, allowing individuals or groups to have unlimited travel for $12.50. The pass can be purchased between this Saturday and Simcoe Day on Monday. Children under 12 ride for free. Another bit of good news: no subway closures this weekend.


Events

Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade
The Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade was held on Saturday. The parade, which is the largest event of the Caribbean Carnival, brought out thousands of masqueraders in colourful, striking costumes, along with steel pan bands. The parade started at Exhibition Place and travelled east along a 3.5-kilometre stretch of Lake Shore before returning back to Exhibition Place. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Carnival in Toronto.

 

Rogers Cup
The world’s best in women’s tennis have taken over the Aviva Centre at York University for the Rogers Cup. The tournament runs from Aug. 5 to 13 and features Genie Bouchard, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep and many more. Qualifying rounds kick off on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and the first round of play gets underway Monday morning at 10 a.m. During the first two days of Rogers Cup, families can also take part in the free community weekend, which offers various activities and entertainment.

 

Veld Music Festival
Electronic music fans flocked to Downsview Park for the 6th annual Veld Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday. The two-day event featured over 30 dance music and hip-hop acts, with headliners Future, Major Lazer, Tiësto, Zedd, Migos and Tory Lanez. Ink Entertainment announced new safety measures for this year’s festival, including a designated space for women who may feel unsafe, a strong medical presence, man-made shade areas and accessible washrooms. Naloxone, which acts as an antidote to the opioid fentanyl, was also permitted.

OVO Fest
Another musical festival is one-day only: Drake’s eighth-annual show comes to town on Monday, taking over the Budweiser Stage with performances from Drake (of course), PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, and Roy Woods. Keep an eye out, as always for surprise guests. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and the doors open at 7 a.m. Ahead of the show, Drake’s record label October’s Very Own (OVO, is opening a flagship store Yorkdale Shopping Centre. It will sell “luxury apparel, capsule collections and exclusive drops from OVO,” according to a press release.

Drake performs at OVO Fest 2012 at Molson Amphitheatre on Aug. 5, 2012 in Toronto. WIREIMAGE/Sarjoun Faour Photography

 

Toronto Food Truck Festival
Woodbine Park will be bursting with flavour this Civic holiday long weekend. The annual Toronto Food Truck Festival is taking over the park from Thursday to Monday. It features some must-eats, including 32 Below, the Apple Fritter Factory, Canadian Corn Roasters, Eva’s Original Chimneys, Smoke’s Poutinerie and Hogtown Smoke. There will also be local talent Friday through Monday and live-eating challenges. Admission is free.

 

Art & Music Ontario Festival
Celebrate creativity this long weekend at the Art & Music Ontario festival. The four-day event showcases the province’s artsy side with activities, entertainment, food and beverages. Programming includes Martk’d, which uses art and sneakers as an engagement tool to connect with contemporary culture, a pop-up art competition, and a DIY art and music zone. Some of the musical artists on hand will be Lowell and The Johnnys. The free festival runs Thursday through Monday on the West Island of Ontario Place.

What’s open and closed

Open

  • TTC will run on holiday service.
  • GO will run on a Saturday schedule.
  • Tourist attractions: Art Gallery of Ontario, Canada’s Wonderland, Casa Loma, CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Ontario Science Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Zoo
  • Major malls: Bramalea City Centre (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Dufferin Mall (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Eaton Centre (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Fairview Mall (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Pacific Mall (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Toronto Premium Outlets (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Square One (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Promenade (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Upper Canada Mall (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Vaughan Mills Mall (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Hillcrest Mall (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Scarborough Town Centre (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Sherway Gardens (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Yorkdale Shopping Centre (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
  • Select Beer Store locations will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Click here for a list.
  • Several LCBO stores will be open. Click here to search your store.
  • Select grocery stores, call ahead for your local store hours
  • City-run facilities like outdoor pools, splash pads, golf courses, historic museums, High Park Zoo, and the Toronto Island Park. Click here for more information.
  • Garbage collection: Curbside pickup is not provided on any Monday, but other solid waste collection will be afffected. Click here for details.

 

Closed

  • Government offices, municipal buildings and banks
  • All Toronto Public Library branches are closed on Sunday and Monday
  • No mail delivery in several provinces including Ontario

Road closures

Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade: Lake Shore Boulevard West from Strachan Avenue to Colborne Lodge Drive, and Lake Shore from Strachan to Parkside Drive will be closed from 1:30 a.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday. Several ramps on the Gardiner Expressway will also be closed at 12:30 a.m. Click here for a full list of road closures. If you are taking TTC to the parade, click here for a list of suggested routes.

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