Photo courtesy of Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation
After years of anticipation, the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games are coming to Toronto on July 10—the first time in Pan Am history that the games have been held in Ontario. (They were held in Winnipeg in 1967 and 1999.)
To coincide with the Pan Am and Parapan Am dates, Ontario Tourism is setting up a 38-day Celebration Zone at the Harbourfront Centre, with kid-friendly events and activities to entertain the whole family.
Best of all: You don’t need Pan Am Games tickets to participate—it’s free for everyone!
The Celebration Zone will happen every day, rain or shine, July 10–August 16, 10 am–10 pm. (The Pan Am Games are July 10–26 and the Parapan Am Games August 7–15.)
Here are the highlights of what is happening at the Ontario Celebration Zone for kids and parents.
1. Animals
Photo: Sean Brady/Flickr CC
For little ones who yearn to get their little hands on little creatures (or larger ones, for the more daring children), the Ontario Celebration Zone has many animal-centric events to entertain. Ripley’s Aquarium will be making an appearance on July 10, with Hands-On Exotics on July 27 and Little Ray’s Reptiles on July 31.
Super Dog Shows take place July 23 and 24.
2. Sports
Photo: moominmolly/Flickr CC
Since the Celebration Zone is to celebrate the largest sporting event in the Americas, of course there must be tons of sport-centered sources of entertainment for the athletes of the future.
Come out July 11 and 12 to Slapshot the Mascot, or any day for a 400-foot Zip Line (9 yrs+), Adrenaline Jump (9 yrs+), or 40-foot Rock Climbing Wall. For less physically-demanding sport fun, try virtual soccer, archery, or other virtual sports by GestureTek.
Even if you don’t have tickets to the games, you and your family don’t need to miss out since there will be live feed playing on the big screen in the Celebration Zone.
3. Just-For-Kids Performances
Photo: Comics212/Flickr CC
There are dozens of performances happening throughout the 38 days, such as a Velveteen Rabbit ballet on July 16, Chad Solomon (pictured) puppet show on July 14 and 23, a parkour performance on August 1 and 3, and a Zero Gravity Circus show on July 10, 24, and 25 just to name a few!
For a full list of performances, check out the Ontario Celebration Zone programming schedule.
4. Music
Photo: Tom Cochrane/Flickr CC
Every single night enjoy free musical talent with your children on either the Ontario Celebration Zone stage or Harbourfront Centre WestJet Stage. Most artists are Canadian and are proud to celebrate that our country has the honour to host the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
The lineup includes such artists as Down with Webster (pictured), Ain’t No Love, Big Sugar, Bruce Cockburn, Cowboy Junkies, Digging Roots, Divine Brown, Elliott Brood, Fefe Dobson, Grand Analog, Great Lake, and so many more!
Check the Ontario Celebration Zone programming schedule and research each musical performer beforehand to ensure the performance is suitable for children.
5. Food
Photo: LexnGer/Flickr CC
For the foodies out there, and the hungry little mouths of their children, there are many dining options at the Ontario Celebration Zone. There will be celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a market with fresh Ontario produce every Wednesday, and daily tastings and pairings. Specifically for kids is a Kid’s Poutine Cooking Competition on August 5.
Parents also get to enjoy a beautiful waterfront patio which will be serving a rotating selection of Ontario-made beers, ciders, and wines.
The Ontario’s Celebration Zone will include accessible and inclusive programming so visitors of all abilities can participate.
For a full list of events and entertainment, check out the Ontario Celebration Zone programming schedule.
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