Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront will be part of Doors Open Toronto on Saturday, May 28, 2016 and Sunday, May 29, 2016. Presented by the Waterfront BIA, Gangways Open will include an artisan market, complimentary food samples from Toronto restaurants, street performances, and of course, free tours of ships at Toronto’s waterfront.
Waterfront Artisan Market in HTO Park
Shop from over 50 artisans and chefs at The Waterfront Artisan Market that is part of Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront. The market begins May 28-29, 2016 and takes place over six weekends at HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West. You’ll be able to shop for handmade jewellery by Social Gem, custom wood watches and sunglasses by G Fox & Co., coffee from RailRoad Coffee Co., art, and beverages and snacks from local artisans. Food vendors include Miche Bakery, Caplansky’s and The Mighty Cob.
Spring Samplings
Local businesses will provide free samples of their product in front of their retail stores on Queens Quay West on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 2016.
Some of the complimentary Spring Samplings include:
Pulled short rib sliders and red sangria – Watermark Irish Pub and Restaurant, 207 Queens Quay W.
Gelato panini – Lick It Gelato, 250 Queens Quay W.
Oreo donut and Oreo Iced Capp – Tim Hortons at Rees & Queens Quay location only
Cinnamon sugar Beavertails and gelato – BeaverTails, 145 Queens Quay W.
Tropical sangria – Shoeless Joe’s, 249 Queens Quay W.
Madeleines and Peach Oolong iced-tea – Iron Rose Tea Gallery, 228 Queens Quay W.
Coffee until 11:30 a.m. and red lentil soup for lunch – Aroma, 88 Queens Quay W.
Sensations by Compliments popcorn and Italian soda – Sobeys, 207 Queens Quay W.
Bread pudding РMusic Garden Caf̩, 466 Queens Quay W.
Masala chai tea – Indian Roti House, 256 Queens Quay W.
Red and wine sangria – The Wine Shop, 228 Queens Quay W.
Street Performances
Enjoy street performances by artists including magician Thom Barnett, who dresses and acts like Captain Jack Sparrow, magician Zoltan, life size wind-up doll Boobily the Clown, pirates Long Jon Strong and Big Ben Block, who walk on stilts, the Human Piñata, circus artist and living statue Goldie. Theatre artists from the Shadowland Theatre group will also perform, and there will be safety demonstrations from flight attendants of Disaster Air.
Tour Ships at Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront
Participating ships at Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront will be open for free public tours. The ships along the dock will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 28-29, 2016, subject to availability.
Visit ships from Empress of Canada, Mariposa Cruises (Captain Matthew Flinders, Klancy II, Northern Spirit, Oriole, Rosemary and Showboat), the Great Lakes Schooner Company (Challenge), Nautical Adventures (Empire Sandy) and Toronto Brigantine Tall Ships (Pathfinder and Playfair).
Tour the Toronto Police Marine Unit
Tour the Toronto Police Marine Unit at 259 Queens Quay West and see the boathouse that houses the fleet that is used in various rescue and response calls on Toronto waterways. Their fleet includes a 1939 Taylorcraft mahogany boat, which is still used to transport VIPs for special occasions.
Marine Unit Officers will provide a history of the Toronto Police Marine Unit and guide members of the public through the boat house to view Marine Unit boats. The vessels are not open for boarding due to safety reasons.
Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront takes place on Saturday, May 28, 2016 and Sunday, May 29, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
I didn’t get to spend much time on the water when I was last in Toronto; in fact I only got to look at it from my hotel window. We did CN Tower, etc. for events – I was there working. I won’t make it this year, but that sangria alone is enough to get me on the list for next year LOL!
There is so much to see and do! Sounds like a really fun event to spend time with family. I’ve never been to Toronto but it looks like a fun place to visit. We live in the southern U.S., a long way. I have been to Canada but it was very long time ago. We are due to go again 🙂
Wow Toronto looks like a great place to visit! I haven’t been to Canada in so long but this is on my travel wishlist to take my son. I am going to have to bookmark your post so that when we make the trip that we can visit these gangways!
Oh dang! My husband is actually going to be in Toronto for the first time but will be leaving the day before this begins. Sounds like it will be a super fun activity with so much to see and do. Maybe we will be able to make it next year!
Those samples look good. I’m interested to try the masala chai tea and gelato panini. Those combinations seem exciting and best of all is that they’re for free! Street performances would also be cool to watch.
That sounds like a lot of fun! Though truthfully, the prospect of crowds generally keeps me away from events like this. We have quite a few festivals in Aarhus, Denmark where I live, and every time I’ve gone to one, it’s been short lived because of the pushing and over-crowding.
This sounds like so much fun, especially the Spring Sampling! I would also love to peruse the Waterfront Artisan Market! Handmade goods are one of my favorite things to shop for, and they also make great gifts!
This sounds fun! I’m particularly excited for the ship tours. Because of my previous work, I’m suddenly into boats and ships. Hehe. The sampling is a great idea to reach new and existing market for those products.
After reading about this I wish I could take a trip to Toronoto this weekend. This looks like it will be an amazing time of sight seeing and eating. I love events like this that provide a great family atmosphere and a fun time for everyone. I think it would be incredible to see all the ships/boats.
So much to see and explore! I would love to visit one day and bring my family along for the adventure.
We kept our sailboat in Toronto Harbor for many summers, I have such fond memories! Sounds like a great time for all!
such a nice way to start the summer!
I love spending time on the water!
I love being on a boat! For sure, I will check this tour out!
This was a great event. So much to do and such a beautiful weekend to be out on the water. 🙂
Seems like so much fun!
I have been to the Tall Ships in Halifax NS, and now I am going to experience it in my home town of Toronto. Can’t wait!!!
Ooo this looks like it was a fun event! I have to check out the activities at harbourfront sometime this summer.
Looks like a blast! We spend more of our time on the water during the summer!
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