Weekend need to know: CNE and other events, TTC/road closures
Posted August 18, 2022 6:28 am.
Last Updated August 19, 2022 11:39 am.
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) returns to Exhibition Place starting this weekend, along with film, wine and street festivals around the GTA.
Keep in mind that road and TTC closures are also expected. Scroll below for details.
Here’s what’s going on this weekend:
Top events
Canadian National Exhibition
The CNE returns Friday after a two-year hiatus.
There will be tons to do, like usual, including going on rides, eating ketchup and mustard ice cream, playing games, and more.
Also this year, officials are insisting the midway rides and other areas of the fair will be safe despite an ongoing strike by safety inspectors.
Around 170 safety inspectors with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) walked off the job on July 21 of this year and have been in negotiations since November of 2021.
Members of the Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) have picketed outside the Exhibition grounds, calling on the TSSA to continue negotiations. They’re concerned rides and equipment may not be properly inspected due to striking members.
However, the TSSA said other workers have been brought in to check the rides to ensure they will be safe for the fair.
WATCH CityNews reporter Lindsay Dunn and musician Preston Pablo try some of the wacky foods available at the CNE this year:
International Film Festival of South Asia
It’s the last weekend to check out the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA), which is the largest South Asian film festival in North America.
The festival showcases a selection of films from around the world, on themes of South Asian cultures and identities.
In addition, the festival also features grand gala celebrations, red carpet showcases, musical performances, and more.
Click here for the remaining schedule.
Rosé Picnic
The Rosé Picnic is happening this Saturday from noon until 11:00 p.m. at Woodbine Park.
Organizers say the picnic will see over 20,000 guests dressed in pink and white, ready to sip on rosés paired with gourmet bites from celebrity chef Mark McEwan.
(Photo credit: Facebook | Rosé Picnic)
Date with the Danny
The Date with the Danny Festival runs until this Sunday along the Danforth.
The event includes sidewalk sales, live music, date ideas for the whole family, foodie dates, and more.
Rastafest
The 29th annual Rastafest returns to Little Jamaica this weekend.
The festival is one of Canada’s largest reggae events and celebrates Rastafarian culture and reggae music in Canada.
The concert event will be held over two days:
- Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Reggae Lane, Little Jamaica, Eglinton Avenue West
- Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Green P parking lot, Little Jamaica, Eglinton Avenue West at Dufferin Street
Rastafarianism is a religious movement that started in the early 60’s in Jamaica. Rastafarians fought against discrimination and mistreatment from the government, who viewed them as anti-social outcasts.
Rastafarians successfully used Jamaican reggae music as the main vehicle to promote peace, love, and harmony.
Rastafest is organised by community activist Masani Montague with Masani Productions Inc. and the Canadian Reggae Music Association.
Transit updates
Line 1 weekend closure
There will be no subway service on Line 1 between Sheppard West and Wilson stations on Saturday and Sunday for track work.
CNE
Beginning Friday until Monday, September 5, the TTC will be increasing service for the CNE to help people get to and from the festivities.
Service changes are as follows:
• 29 Dufferin/929 Dufferin Express: Service will be increased on this route. Dedicated CNE express shuttle buses will run non-stop between Dufferin Station and Dufferin Gate Loop. Due to road closures in the area, all buses will be turning back at Dufferin Gate Loop.
• 174 Ontario Place – Exhibition: Service will not operate on this route from Aug. 19 to Sept. 5.
• 509 Harbourfront: Will have additional, frequent streetcar service between Union Station and Exhibition Loop.
• 510 Spadina: Will run between Spadina Station and Spadina Ave./Queen’s Quay between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Riders who need to connect to Union Station during those times can take advantage of the more frequent 509 service which also stops at Spadina Ave./Queen’s Quay.
• 511 Bathurst: Will have additional, frequent streetcar/bus service between Bathurst Station and Exhibition Loop.
Metrolinx
This weekend, Lake Shore East and West train schedules will be adjusted for the CNE to ease crowding at Exhibition GO and provide riders extra time to board their trains. Weekend service adjustments on the Barrie and Stouffville lines will also be in effect during the CNE.
Road closures
Events
- The southbound lanes on Spadina Avenue, from St. Andrew Street to Sullivan Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday for the Toronto Chinatown Festival.
- Yonge Street, between Bloor Street and Queen Street, and Bloor Street, between Montrose Avenue and Yonge Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday for OpenStreetsTO.
- Bathurst Street, from Wilson Avenue to Laurelcrest Avenue, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday for the Taste of Manila festival.
- Yorkville Avenue, between Hazelton Avenue and Bellair Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic from noon. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for Yorkville Murals, a cultural event that celebrates contemporary muralism and public art.
- Armoury Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 12:01 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday for Panorama India Day Festival & Celebrations Parade preparations. The parade will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Avenue and Armoury Street intersection, head north on University Avenue, then east on Dundas Street, and south on Bay Street. There are no scheduled road closures along the parade route but drivers and people cycling should stay alert and expect minor traffic delays.
- Market Street continues to be closed from Front Street East to The Esplanade for I Heart Market Street activities.
Construction
- Queen’s Park, between Bloor Street West and Queen’s Park Crescent, is currently reduced to two southbound lanes and one northbound lane to accommodate the TTC’s Easier Access (elevator installation) work at Museum Station.
- Westbound Lake Shore Boulevard East, between Parliament Street and Lower Sherbourne Street, is reduced to a single lane until 9 p.m. on Sunday to facilitate gas main installation work by Enbridge.
- Lake Shore Boulevard West is also reduced to a single lane from Jarvis Street to Sherbourne Street until 7 a.m. on Thursday, September 8 to facilitate the Enbridge gas main installation.
- The Queensway has a reduced number of lanes in both directions between Parkside Drive and Roncesvalles Avenue for TTC track replacement and road reconstruction work. King Street West is closed at the King-Queen-Queensway-Roncesvalles intersection, and eastbound left turns are not permitted from The Queensway to Glendale Avenue.
- Wellington Street, from Yonge Street to Church Street, is reduced to a single westbound lane and Front Street, from Scott Street to Church Street, is reduced to a single eastbound lane for TTC track replacement and sidewalk improvements.
- On Saturday and Sunday the Carlton Street and Church Street intersection will be closed all weekend for streetcar track replacement.
- Wellesley Street West, between Yonge and Bay Streets, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday for concrete pouring.
ActiveTO
- Bayview Avenue, from Rosedale Valley Road to Lawren Harris Square, and the portion of River Street West, between Bayview Avenue and Spruce Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. on Saturday until 7 p.m on Sunday for ActiveTO.
