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Torontonians Handed "Quay to the City" for 10 Days in August as Waterfront Undergoes Massive Makeover
Cars make way for people, bikes and sand castles as Waterfront Corporation announces extensive programming to showcase its bold new urban design
Toronto, August 1, 2006 - The Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) today laid out the welcome mat for a 10-day event in August that showcases a vibrant new design for transforming Toronto's waterfront. The event, called Quay to the City: Summer '06, runs over two weekends from August 11-20, and features activities intended to immerse Torontonians in the winning design that affords everyone a taste of Ontario's popular cottage life without leaving the city.
"As the Waterfront Corporation has made clear from the beginning, this transformation process is about Torontonians taking back their waterfront," said John Campbell, President and CEO, TWRC. "Quay to the City will give people of all ages from across Toronto the ability to access the waterfront in an entirely new way."
What may be the largest art installation ever in Toronto, the transformation calls for the closure of the south side of Queens Quay to traffic between Spadina Avenue and York Street. Car traffic will be replaced with bicycle lanes and a kilometer-long stretch of 12,000 red geraniums and picnic grass. Two four-storey sculptures built with bicycles will highlight the temporary new section of the popular Martin Goodman Trail.
Free events will include waterfront tours aboard a tall ship, canoeing and kayaking lessons, as well as outdoor movie nights and live concerts. Highlights include a kid's bike decorating event and parade, professional sand sculpting and "rock art", as well as a 5K family fun run. Visit www.towaterfront.ca for downloadable event listings or call 416-214-1480 for daily event updates.
The temporary installation is part of a permanent design that will transform Queens Quay by providing continuous public access along the water's edge and extending the Martin Goodman Trail. The design was the unanimous winner of a juried competition won in June by a team led by West 8 urban design & landscape architecture, which includes Toronto-based firm du Toit Allsopp Hillier.
TWRC's Campbell says Quay to the City ensures Torontonians receive a taste of the new design, while also providing valuable usage data that can be incorporated into the final design. The design is one of several waterfront revitalization projects supported by the three levels of government.
Schedule of Quay to the City and other Harbourfront-based events - August 11 to 20
FRIDAY AUGUST 11 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 13
Harbourfront Centre's Hot & Spicy Food Festival - All day
This hugely popular event includes food demos and classes, food-inspired music, a cook-off between Toronto chefs, fire dancers and tongue sizzling dips and sauces at the Red Hot Market.
SATURDAY AUGUST 12
Waterfront Walking Tour - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Walking tour of the central waterfront with Adriaan Geuze (West 8 urban design & landscape architecture). Tour starts at Portland Slip at the foot of Bathurst.
SATURDAY AUGUST 12 & SUNDAY AUGUST 13
Central Waterfront Tall Ship Boat Tours - 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Free hour and a half-long boat tour of Toronto's central waterfront. Tours leave from York Quay at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. First come, first serve. Arrive half an hour in advance to secure a seat.
MONDAY AUGUST 14
Harbourfront Centre's Rhythm POSITIVE Strength of Africa Concert - 7:30 p.m.
This concert features Soul Influence (an a'capella group that fuses the distinct spiritual sounds of Zulu, Shona, Ndebele, Bemba, Lingala, Luganda, Tonga, Taita and Swahili origin with contemporary Christian gospel music), Donne Roberts (Afro-funk vocalist, guitarist and songwriter), and Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited (creator of the chimurenga musical style).
TUESDAY AUGUST 15 TO THURSDAY AUGUST 17
Professional Sand Sculpting Exhibition
Karen Fralich, Canada's two-time world sand sculpting champion, will build a massive sand sculpture.
TUESDAY AUGUST 15 & THURSDAY AUGUST 17
Free Flicks by the Lake - 8:45 p.m.
The lakeside Concert Stage at Harbourfront Centre is the venue for Quay to the City's free water-themed movies on Tuesday and Thursday evening. Jaws is set for August 15 and the original Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl for August 17.
FRIDAY AUGUST 18 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 20
Harbourfront Centre's Ho-Hai-Yan Taiwan! - All Day
Experience all that Ho-Hai-Yan means. Distinct culture including Aboriginal music and dance and a Taiwanese-Canadian cookout. Visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com for further details.
SATURDAY AUGUST 19
Children's Bike Parade - 10:30 a.m.
Children and their families are invited to bring their decorated bikes to celebrate biking on Toronto's central waterfront. The staging area will be located on Queens Quay at Lower Simcoe. Participants should arrive by 10:00 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. start to the parade. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated bikes.
SATURDAY AUGUST 19 AND SUNDAY AUGUST 20
Voyageur Canoe Rides at John Quay - 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Take a look at the city from a different perspective and join in a Voyageur Canoe ride. Sign up on site to secure a spot for you and your friends. Children accompanied by adults are welcome. No paddling experience required. Boats departing every hour on the hour.
Canoe and Kayak Paddle on Natrel Pond - 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Stop in for free 20-minute canoe and kayak rides in the safety of the three-foot deep pond. Children accompanied by adults are welcome. Kayaks will be available for children 10 years and older.
SUNDAY AUGUST 20
5K Family FUN Run
Toronto families can lace up their running shoes on Sunday morning for a non-competitive 5K FUN Run along the waterfront. Treats will be served for everyone after the race. Registration details will be available starting the week of July 31 on www.towaterfront.ca.
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Media Contact:
Kristin Jenkins
TWRC
416-214-1479
kjenkins@towaterfront.ca
Stephen Rouse
Carouse Communications
416-402-6876
stephen@carousecommunications.com
Andrea Lekushoff
Carouse Communications
416-435-2569
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