Nintendo 3DS truck

There was a big truck parked on the boulevard of Yonge Street just outside the Eaton Centre. The truck had big windows and people were invited in to see the Nintendo 3DS system. Available for only $250 - yeah that's right, expensive at half the price - but now in 3D.

Andretti Boom Race Weekend Kick-Off Party

The racing kingdom known as Andretti joined Boom! Marketing for a Honda Indy Toronto Race Weekend Kick-Off Party at the Thompson Hotel in downtown Toronto. Boom President and party host Nicole Gallucci says a few words to the group, photo below.

Michael Andretti was joined by his son, Marco Andretti, along with Andretti Autosport team mates Danica Patrick, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Mike Conway. NASCAR and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series NCTS driver JR Fitzpatrick joined the party as well. I was there as a guest of Dr Pepper and I found the party, the drivers and the hotel to be amazing.

JR Fitzpatrick, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Mike Conway, Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick.

I think they were just about to ask me for some driving advice - photo by Joe Hamilton.

We were introduced to the Canadian branding of the #26 Marco Andretti Dr Pepper Car which was at the hotel entrance. Pictures were taken with the race car, then we were brought up to the rooftop where we mingled with some heavy hitters, had a few beverages and enjoyed the conversations and sights.

The drivers answered some questions and enjoyed a little calm after the days practices and the upcoming race on Sunday, July 10, 2011. The event was held on the rooftop of the hotel and the views were spectacular. There is a walkway running along the edge of the roof and there is even a cool outdoor pool. Wow, what a place.

See more pictures after the jump.

Relaxing by the pool.

Welcomed to the party.

DJ spins some tunes.

NASCAR driver JR FitzPatrick.

Michael Andretti with James Hamilton - another photo by Joe.

Here are some photos from the Streets of Toronto Honda Indy Toronto 2011 race weekend.

Marco at practice in the 2011 race 

Danica during driver introductions

Ryan in Victory Circle, comes in 3rd

JR minutes before the start of the NASCAR NCTS race on Saturday

Many thanks to Dr Pepper, Boom and Andretti Autosports!

Natrel makes my day

The girls were giving out Natrel chocolate milk down at harbourfront. Mmmm, Natrel makes my day.

Win Dr Pepper tickets to 2011 Honda Indy Toronto

WE HAVE A WINNER: Congratulations to Adam who won the pair of tickets to the Dr Pepper Grandstands at the Honda Indy Toronto 2011!

Dr Pepper has offered me a set of tickets to the Dr Pepper Grandstand Seats for the Honda Indy Toronto 2011 race. If you want a chance to win the tickets just send me an email mailto:jmhcet@gmail.com and I will pick a winner tomorrow (only the winner will be notified, winner will be couriered tickets). You can also find my email address in the ‘view my complete profile’ on the top right. The picture at top shows driver IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick walking into the pits - with a bottle of Dr Pepper at her feet! The Dr Pepper Grandstand is just across the track from the pit entrance.

Update: The winner gets two tickets to the Dr Pepper Grandstands for Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10, which includes paddock pass and reserved seating. Also, you will receive a free Dr Pepper beverage on Saturday and a free Dr Pepper t-shirt and beverage on Sunday. There is not much time left so I will make a random draw of all the email entries tonight at midnight. I will send an email notification to the winner along with the email address of Dr Pepper's peeps who will arrange for the delivery of the tickets. Good luck everyone and see you at the races.

Dr Pepper Grandstand in background during an IndyCar practice.

NASCAR CTS drivers move from turn 10 into turn 11 at the Dr Pepper Grandstand on the left, just past the pedestrian bridge.

You can also visit the Honda Indy Toronto on Friday, July 8 with no entrance fee - sponsored by the Ontario Honda Dealers Association.

Practice in the pits.

Stella .... Stella Artois Legere in TO

I heard from Fresh Joe that they gave away free samples of Stella Artois Legere - the yummy, triple filtered, smooth tasting, light beer, during the Celebrate Bloor Street Festival. How could this be, this is Ontario and I have only seen small samples within an LCBO store. But today, walking down Bay Street I saw a line, a line that formed for free bottles of Stella and yes, I joined that line. The beer was in individual boxes, a one pack as it were, and had it's own little carrying bag.

PS they had great looking girls in red checking IDs and giving out the beer and you can follow @StellaArtoisCAN on twitter. Here is the beer just before I enjoy it on the patio after work.

Katy Perry at Toronto Eaton Centre

Yonge Street is shut down in preparation for Katy Perry’s Thursday, June 30, 2011 appearance at Sears in the Toronto Eaton Centre. She is scheduled for 3pm and there is a stage set up outside of Sears on Yonge Street, just south of Dundas Street. Katy has released a signature fragrance called Purr and her promotional visit features a Q&A period from 3 to 3:30pm. Even at lunchtime the fans started to gather round the stage, by 3 the crowd was jammed into the street waiting for her to show up. I had to leave as by quarter to four she still hadn't made an appearance.

The singer is in town for a set of concerts at the ACC with the last one happening tonight. Toronto Police 52 Division has said that Yonge Street will be closed from Edmund to Richmond Streets from 10am to 6pm for 

the event.

lunchtime on Yonge Street

BMO and Honda Indy Toronto

BMO Financial Group joins Honda Indy Toronto as a sponsor of the July 8-10, 2011 race through the streets of Toronto. BMO will showcase the BMO World Elite MasterCard which is their latest travel rewards card. I often think of myself as a World Elite kind of person so I am surprised that I haven't seen this card before.

BMO globe ladies at the Honda Indy Toronto 2011

“Just like IndyCar fans, our customers have the desire to enjoy life’s rewards in the here and now,” said Su McVey, VP Customer Communications and Marketing at BMO Bank of Montreal. “Our partnership with the Honda Indy Toronto will allow us to provide BMO World Elite customers with special benefits and exclusive experiences, while helping us generate strong awareness of the BMO World Elite advantages amongst a perfectly-suited audience of IndyCar fans.”


Click here for a chance to win Dr Pepper Grandstand tickets to the Honda Indy Toronto 2011 race.

Easy dozen on the ttc

Giant VitaminWater 12 pack. I am now thirsty and have to go to the bathroom at the same time - just give me a transfer. Those advertising skins cover a lot of stuff but those bottles are so big they needed a second streetcar.

The Hershey's Drops car

Seen on Front Street in front of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was a vw beetle dressed up in Hershey's Drops. The car and trailer was a little bit more understated than the Hershey chocolate spill pickup truck.

Virgin Mobile Angels

I think that the Victoria Secrets Angels have a little competition - I saw a couple of Virgin Mobile Angels with black wings during the weekend around the MMVAs. Virgin Mobile sponsors Lady GaGa's Monster Ball Tour and she headlined the award show at Much Music on Queen Street West.

I only saw them for awhile, then they jumped into the air and flew back towards Lady GaGa perched high on the stage (okay, I made that up).

Taste the rainbow

There was some rainbow coloured candy being given out in the heart of the Eaton Centre and at first I thought Justin Bieber was drawing on an imported sidewalk but there wasn't enough young fans screaming! Instead it was the 'world renowned pavement chalk artist' Julian Beever. They brought in a big load of patio stones, set up the booth giving out the candy and elastic wrist bands, and Julian was chalking up a storm.

Throughout the universe, forever

You could live on forever, throughout the universe if you wandered past the cameras at Yonge and Dundas today during the filming of a Government of Ontario tourism production. Throughout the universe - man, I didn't realize the government could plan so well for the future when we travel between planets and solar systems watching a Toronto tourism film for the early turn of the century in 2011! At least the rights are for something public and fairly innocent - I believe the title was 'Down and dirty in the streets of TO - the Yonge Street Strip'.

Of course this will expire when the revised Judgement Day strikes this October. See the writing on the poster after the jump.


"A camera crew is taping footage in this area for inclusion in a tourism video being produced on behalf of The Government of Ontario. By entering this area you consent to being photographed and/or recorded by the Producer, and, at the Producer's sole discretion, you may be included in the Video, without compensation to you, for unlimited use, throughout the universe forever, in all media (including but not limited to TV, DVD, INTERNET and WIRELESS DEVICES). Thank you for joining us! Ontario, CANADA.

Piazza Italia - 150th Anniversary of Italy

Toronto is joining in the celebration of the 150^th Anniversary of Italy and Yonge-Dundas Square has been transformed into Piazza Italia. The entertainment and Italian food mini festival started at noon and runs until late this evening (till 11pm June 2, 2011), so come down, try an espresso and buy a brand new Fiat motorcar. Yes, Fiat has some beautiful models downtown in the Square – and the cars looked pretty nice as well.

I just wished they could have hooked up one of the construction cranes to the CN Tower and pulled it over a few degrees – then we would have a leaning tower of our own.

Ciao Bella! See more photos after the jump.

Madskills soccer demonstration

enjoying the sun and the fun