Things to do in Toronto July 30-31 & Aug 1, 2011

Hey it's my birthday on the 31st so have an extra special day - there will be no party so have some fun somewhere else. As a bonus it's a long weekend (Civic Holiday) for many. Have I mentioned the beaches and patios of Toronto? Here are some more pictures of the Pride 2011 Street Festival.

And for starters the Bluejays are at home playing ball this weekend from Tuesday July 26 (vs Orioles 26-28) to Sunday July 31 (vs Rangers 29-31). Sunday is Roberto Alomar Day - first 20,000 fans get a bobblehead of the new Hall of Famer at the former Skydome and current Rogers Centre.

The Toronto Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival continues this weekend with the following: Pan Alive Friday July 29, Grand Parade Saturday July 30, Carnival Lime Sunday July 31 to Monday August 1.

Saturday July 30 to Sunday July 31: TFCON Annual Transformer Collectors Convention at the Delta Meadowvale.

Saturday July 30 to Sunday July 31: Atomic Lollipop Music Festival, Anime Con and Carnival at the Sheraton Hotel and Convention Centre. And a Pillow Fight.

If you are close to the city centre you can keep on eye on events happening at Yonge-Dundas Square. Such as the Elastocitizens, TD Irie Music Festival and the Street Golf Tour.

Monday August 1 is Jambana Festival at Downsview Park.

Shiver me timbers - in the GTA there is the 4th Annual Pirate Festival in Milton from July 30 to August 1.

See more Pride pictures after the jump.

Pride Toronto Street Festival 2011

The final three days of 2011 Pride Week includes a Street Festival on Church Street from July 1st to the 3rd and today also had the Dyke March, tomorrow is the Pride Parade. LGBTQ Proud. There were a lot of buff bods, pride flags and some great costumes.

 See more pictures of Pride after the jump.

Rainbow Flag raised at Toronto City Hall 2011

The LGBTQ community and their many supporters gathered today in Nathan Phillips Square for the official reading of the City of Toronto’s Pride Week Proclamation and the raising of the rainbow flag at City Hall today. Absent was the current Mayor of Toronto and many in the square were booing whenever Rob Ford’s name came up in the speeches. Master of Ceremonies Kristyn Wong-Tam asked for and received calm to allow the ceremony to continue and for Councillor Frances Nunziata to read the proclamation on the Mayor’s behalf.

On hand was one ex-Mayor of Toronto (and current Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission) – Barbara Hall, who was loudly cheered by those in attendance. Pride week began June 24^th and continues until July 3^rd, 2011 with some pretty amazing parties and parades and hopefully they can continue to build on the acceptance and support of the LGBTQ communities within Toronto.

My picture of the City’s Pride proclamation shows that it was indeed signed by Mayor Rob Ford. The flag can be found flying on the outdoor garden level, close to Bay Street. 

See more pictures after the jump.

Barbara Hall

Photo Vault - fun in Toronto

For a photographer, life in Toronto is full of fun and so many great photo opportunities. The people of the big smoke get behind and support so many worthwhile causes - from gay rights to charity drives. One of the biggest celebrations and show of support is for the many LGBT marches during PRIDE week. The Dyke March  is one of my favourites and I always like when they bring out the big rainbow flag. Brim Stone #21:8 is from the mighty Gore-Gore Rollergirls of the Toronto Roller Derby League.

See more pictures - including some more photos from the Ms Chin Bikini Pageant, after the jump.

The architecture in Toronto includes shiny new condos and old buildings and neighbourhoods that make the city a great place to live, work and play. While mayors come and go some of the buildings get better with age - like the iconic flatiron building in the St. Lawrence Market area.

Mayor David Miller

There is also a lot of competition in Toronto as sports teams and beautiful people compete, head to head and toe to toe. The Chin Picnic's Ms Chin Bikini Contest draws so many beautiful women it would be very hard to pick out a winner.

There is also a lot of promotions going on - there are a lot of people out there who hope to increase business and they give out free stuff to get people to try their products, go see their sports events and buy tickets to the latest concerts. My wife says that as good as Bon Jovi songs are, they pale in comparison to his handsome good looks. Bon Jovi will be at the Air Canada Centre (ACC) on Februrary 14 and 15, 2011 if you want to see him in action.

Hockey on Yonge Street

Ivanovic & Wozniaki

Baking in the sun and watching fireworks is a good way to spend quality time together.

You can always chuck it all, drop your drawers and head to Toronto's naked beach - Hanlan's Point or wait for the next Naked Bike Ride.