Outdoor events perfect backdrop to the last weekend of summer

If you love summer and the heat, then this weekend is all for you – the forecast calls for sunshine and humidex values in the low 30s. With several outdoor events taking place, it is the perfect time to enjoy the last weekend of summer.

There is a partial TTC shutdown and a station closure, as well as some road closures to contend with, but don’t let that stop you from getting outside this weekend.

Outdoor events

Terry Fox Run
“Dreams are made possible if you try,” Terry Fox once said. The Marathon of Hope, which he started in 1980, continues to this day with more than $800 million raised around the world for cancer research. This Sunday, keep his dream alive with the annual Terry Fox Run, held in several cities across the country including 14 locations in Toronto. The 5K and 10K runs start at 9 a.m. local time, but you can also walk, ride or inline-skate the routes. Activities will also be held after the runs at each of the events.

Celtic Island
Centre Island will be transformed into the Emerald Isle for a celebration of Irish culture on Saturday. The festival, which was founded in 1967, is hosted by the St. Patrick’s Parade Society of Toronto. There will be traditional and modern Irish music, dancing, good eats and kids activities. Tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door. Children under 12 can partake for free.

OpenStreets
For the second and last time this season, the streets near Yonge and Bloor will be for pedestrians to enjoy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Activity hubs will be stationed along Bloor between Christie and Sherbourne streets, and on Yonge between Bloor and Shuter streets. Some of the activities include a pop-up adventure playground for kids, a bike obstacle course, free hair and makeup workshops, buskers, a beatbox learning station, and ol’ skool fun like jump rope, hand-clapping games, hopscotch, and marbles.

Apple picking
It’s the height of harvest season, and this weekend is perfect to take the family apple picking. Several orchards across the GTA say the fruit is ready for picking, but they are urging families not to wait too long because the crop volume is estimated to be 20 per cent less than last year due to the 2016 drought. There are about 15 different varieties of apples grown on Ontario farms, including Chudleigh’s in Milton, Pingle’s Farm Market in Hampton (Durham), and Dixie Orchards in Caledon.

Food Truck Festival Ontario
A foodie’s dream comes to life this weekend. From mouth-watering, fall-off-the-bone BBQ to tender, well-seasoned lobster rolls, all your favourite eats will be in one place at Sherbourne Common, beside Sugar Beach. You can eat like a “food star” and enjoy an alcoholic beverage in the drinks garden. Admission is free, with sample-size dishes costing $6 or less and full-portioned meals starting at $10.

Indoor events

National Bridal Show
Hundreds of blushing brides-to-be will be flocking to the National Bridal Show to check out all the hottest trends for their 2018 nuptials. Top photography, fashion and decor vendors, among others, will be there to guide and offer advice to engaged couples and their families navigating through the overwhelming process of planning their big day. The show is being held from Friday to Sunday at the International Centre, Hall 1. Admission is $18.

Fall Home Show
As we enter the last weekend of summer, the Toronto Fall Home Show is helping you usher in the new season, which officially arrives on Sept. 22. This year’s edition, which is from Friday to Sunday, focuses on the three Rs to get your home autumn-ready: restructuring, restyling and reorganizing. Dozens of industry pros and celebrity experts, as well as more than 300 retailers will be on hand during the three-day event. It’s being held at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, and general admission is $15.

Road and transit closures

Road closures
Several roads will be closed around the city for events, including Open Streets TO, RBC Race for the Kids, and Polish and Ukrainian festivals. Click here for a list.

Partial Line 1 closure
Subways won’t be running on Line 1 (Yonge-University-Spadina) between Sheppard West and St. George stations this weekend. The closure is due to signal upgrades. Shuttle buses will be running. Riders can use existing buses and streetcars to get to the Yonge portion of Line 1, and buses to Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth). Wheel-Trans buses will run between Sheppard West and St. George stations upon request. Regular subway service will resume at 6 a.m. Monday.

Dundas Station closure
The station will be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Monday as crews work on construction of fare gates. Trains will be bypassing the station, so riders will have to get off at nearby College or Queen stations. Starting Monday and until late October, the station will be closed each night from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and until 8 a.m. on Sunday.