By Lori Bosworth
Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront will take place on May 24 and 25, 2014 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. as part of Doors Open Toronto 2014. The event will feature a tour of the William Lyon Mackenzie Fire Boat, which is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. The fire boat will be at the Toronto Fire and Marine Station 334.
Author/Journalist Mike Filey will present “Trillium and Toronto Island,” a one-hour presentation featuring the history of the Toronto Islands and the Island ferry service from the early 1800s. The talk will take place in the Brigantine Room, Harbourfront Centre at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on May 24 and 25, 2014.
Tour the PS Trillium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The ferry boat was reconstructed in 1975 and is the last remaining side wheeler paddle steamer operating in North America. You’ll find the PS Trillium at the foot of Harbour Square Park at the base of Bay Street. Mike Filey will be on board to answer questions when he is not speaking in the Brigantine Room.
Have your photo taken with pirates along the waterfront on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Toronto on the Water, a photo exhibit illustrating Toronto’s waterfront history, features over 100 images from the Toronto Star Archives, Toronto Port Authority, City of Toronto Archives and Queen’s Quay Terminal. The exhibit will remain on display on the main level of Queen’s Quay Terminal from May 24 until July 31.
Charter ships will be open for free dockside tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ships include Challenge, Kajama and Obsession III (Great Lakes Schooner Company), Ste. Marie (City View Cruise Lines), Mariposa Cruises (Captain Matthew Flinders, Klancy II, Northern Spirit, Oriole, Rosemary and Showboat), Nautical Adventures (Empire Sandy) and Toronto Brigantine Tall Ships (Pathfinder and Playfair).
