ATTRACTION: Toronto Islands a ferry hop to festivals & fun

Everyone knows about Toronto Islands’ amusement park, farm and public beaches, not to mention the biking, hiking and picnicking opportunities all with a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

But few may know that this chain of 14 small islands only a short ferry ride from downtown Toronto ($7 return) also hosts many annual summer events. Some of the biggest draws include the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, the Festival of India and the Toronto Tree Festival.

“The festivals are a big pull,” says Warren Hoselton, a Toronto parks, forestry  and recreation supervisor. “Even without them there’s so much to see and do.”

The boat race

The dragon boat race festival on June 23-24 is the first major one on Centre Island. It’s the “kickoff event,” which attracts 80,000-100,000 people over two days, says David Wong, the festival chair.

About 5,000 athletes on more than 180 teams from Canada, the United States and the Caribbean, as well as Europe and Asia will be paddling in the dragon boat races on the Allan Lamport Regatta Course.

In addition to regular race divisions, the organizers have added a seniors division this year for anyone 55 and older, Wong says. The Ontario Trillium Foundation also provided funds for an at-risk youth race.

Besides watching the races, there’s also the dragon boat festival, which runs 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on both days.

“It’s like a cultural family event,” Wong says. “We have exhibitions, stage dances, heritage dances.”

This year there will also be celebrations for the Queen who’s celebrating her 60 years on the throne, he says.

Click here for more about the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival.

The Festival of India

The Festival of India, which is the Hare Krishna event, is the next big event and has been held on Centre Island for at least 20 of its 40 years, says Krishna Sharma, the festival’s chair. The festival attracts about 25,000 people during the July 14-15 event, according to the city. But Sharma claims it’s more likely between 35,000 and 40,000 because of the free vegetarian feast, which offers a taste of the East featuring four or five dishes.

“It’s going to be a big celebration — great family experience,” he says.

To kick start the 40th event, a parade will take place down Yonge Street from Bloor Street to the lake. Spectators will get to see the floats hand pulled by participants who also sing, drum and dance.

Then spectators can hop on a city ferry at the foot of Bay Street to Centre Island where the festival will have family-friendly activities, a massive outdoor tented pavilion, kirtan music, dance and drama performances, a South Asian bazaar, exhibits and ancient spiritual culture and heritage. On the Sunday, the organizers section off an area for Yoga Meltdown, Toronto’s first outdoor spiritual yoga.

“We try to present hidden spiritual gems of the East in a family-oriented way,” Sharma says.

Organizers will also provide a preview of the festival at Yonge-Dundas Square on July 11.

Click here for more information about the Festival of India.

Tree festival

Another event that visitors won’t want to miss is the third annual Toronto Tree Festival on June 9 at Centre Island’s Franklin Children’s Garden. There will be guided walking, cycling and tram tours in the morning with forestry experts and enthusiasts, as well as all things trees-related, such as tree plantings and tree climbing in the afternoon.

If you can’t make it, you can also take a self-guided tree tour anytime of the year of the 58 trees that run five kilometres from one end of the island to the other.

Participants will see trees typical of a Carolinian forest, ornamental trees not native to Ontario and some rare ones like the tulip tree, Hoselton says.

Click here and here for more information about the tree festival and tour, respectively.