Pix of Toronto

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Like all major cities in North America, Toronto has been hit with a budget deficit.

As in the last Winter City Fest outdoor show, everything hangs by a budget cord in Toronto. The ever tougher economic times coupled with the combined city of Toronto and province of Ontario budget deficits have done in the Winter City Fest. How appropraite then that last show featured performers the Carnaval du Paris hanging by ropes stretched over a canvas starting 80 feet high right in  the middle of Nathan Phillips Square of City Hall.

Here are some other views of a memorable night -

The state funeral  of Jack Layton in Toronto allowed people to come to terms with what they had – truly Bon Jack. Canadians had not a carpetbagger politician nor a Karl Rove wannabee – nor a blame game and media maestro/mistress as seen Due South; but rather a man constantly referring back to first principles and morals in these chimeral modern times.  A rare commodity in politics. Thus Jack Layton represents a re-awakening of what to expect from politics and politicians. And his funeral in Toronto allowed people to see what was lost. You can see and read it in their chalked remarks left at Nathan Phillips square:

There is almost a bewilderment at what was lost in these words. Yes, some on the right, only saw a man playing to the plebes on how to rook the State[again echoes of Due South ultra-conservative sentiments]; but in general time will tell whether Canada embraces fair and moral or strange righteous elitism. Rue the day that a Champion of Principles was felled too soon.

Only time will tell if Jack`s passing was not just a political fancy.

 

The Royal Winter Fair is ion this week in Toronto with Dog Show, all sorts of Horse Shows and competitions, plus extras like magic displays and culinary exhibits. It is an Ontario Tradition plus the natural end to the farm season – and brings participants from across the province as well as from the City of Toronto.

But as always there are some cautions about visiting the Fair. First and foremost the price is up, Ticket Master is charging $22.75 for one adult one day ticket. There are Senior, Family and other special ticket plans – so check beforehand to make sure that you get the best possible price.

Second, make sure that you follow the Royal’s suggestion and use the TTC or GO Transit to get to the Fair. They are much cheaper and often much closer to the Fair’s Entrance than the sprawling parking at Exhibition place.

Food and beverage, just like at THEx, tend to be expensive. Unfortunately when you go to the Royal website there is no advice on what attendees are allowed to bring with them. Even using the Search function does not reveal any policy. So check with Royal beforehand to determine what is not taboo regarding food and beverages – not just alcoholic but also various pops.

Ditto for picture taking. There are all sorts of restrictions on when, where and how you can take pictures at the Royal. Again, searching the Royal’s website for clarification reveals no guidance whatsoever. And this can have dire repercussions. Your Pix of Canada editor has seen first hand where a pro photographer was detained, his pictures confiscated and destroyed by the Royal’s security [with back up from Toronto's constabulary] for taking pictures at the Petting Zoo even with assent of the parents. Another amateur photographer complained that some of the shows also had photography prohibitions but the ruling against picture taking were not posted.

There are also restrictions on where you can and cannot go on the Fair grounds. They are not always posted or clearly in sight. So check before you go down the wrong path… the security staff is sometimes lenient and sometimes downright brusque.

So the the Royal Winter Fair can be a lot of fun as long as you play by The Royal’s Rules. So before you go check with the Royal and avoid any uncivil hassles.