Jul 1, 2024

Toronto Pride Parade 2024

 As we gathered along Yonge Street, anticipation buzzed in the air. The long wait only seemed to heighten the excitement. Finally, the distant roar of motorcycles signaled the parade’s approach. Just as the first riders came into view, the skies opened up and a brief, gentle rain began to fall.

It was as if the heavens themselves were heralding the parade’s arrival. The rain, however, was short-lived, and its timing felt almost symbolic—a nod to the hardships faced by the LGBTQ+ community and the resilience that has seen them through.

 A Day to Remember: Toronto Pride Parade 2024

This past Sunday, June 30th, the streets of Toronto came alive with vibrant colors, joyful music, and an overwhelming sense of unity and celebration. The annual Pride Parade, a staple of the city’s cultural calendar, once again took over Yonge Street, drawing thousands of participants and spectators alike. 

This year’s parade was not just a spectacle; it was a poignant reminder of the progress the movement has made and the challenges that still lie ahead.







The parade itself was nothing short of spectacular. It was bigger and better than anything I had ever seen before, touching the lives of everyone in attendance. The diversity and inclusivity on display were truly inspiring. There were contingents representing gay fathers, Seniors Pride, Two-Spirit people, HIV support groups, and organizations working to stop AIDS and end religious-based homophobia. 

There were also powerful messages of solidarity with the Iranian and Jewish LGBTQ+ communities.

Among the many highlights was the presence of Toronto’s Mayor, Olivia Chow, who proudly showed her support for Pride. Her participation underscored the city's commitment to embracing and celebrating diversity in all its forms.





For over two hours, the parade captivated us with its vibrant floats, energetic performances, and the palpable sense of community spirit. Although there was a brief delay
towards the end due to demonstrations, the police presence ensured that everything ran smoothly. Their efforts were greatly appreciated and allowed the celebration to continue without major disruption.

#Pride2024 #TorontoPride #LoveIsLove

Jun 26, 2024

17th Annual Woofstock!

 Woofstock Toronto: The Ultimate Pup Party You Didn’t Know You Needed

Woodbine Park, Toronto | woofstock.ca

Every early summer, Toronto goes to the dogs—literally—as Woofstock, North America’s largest dog festival, takes over Woodbine Park for a tail-wagging good time. Now in its 17th year, this is no ordinary dog walk in the park. It’s a full-blown canine carnival with fashion, fitness, fun, and fur!

And here’s the kicker: my husband and I don’t even own a dog. We're lifelong cat people! We are CAT people!😺 But the sheer buzz around Woofstock had us too curious to stay away. So we grabbed our cameras and curiosity and headed out to see what the bark was all about.


Wait, Which Woodbine?

Let’s get this out of the way: Woodbine Park is not the same as Woodbine Beach. Trust me, my husband insisted otherwise, and we spent 30 minutes biking in the wrong direction before realizing it. Learn from us: Woofstock happens at Queen St. East & Northern Dancer Blvd, just across from the Beaches neighbourhood. 🙃


A Pet-Lover’s Playground

By the time we arrived, the park was buzzing with activity. Tents were up, tails were wagging, and vendors had set up shop with everything your dog could ever want—and plenty you didn’t even know existed. Think gourmet treats, custom outfits, massage therapy, and pawdicures.

Big shoutout to Benny Bully’s—the Official Dog Treat of Woofstock—who landed in style (seriously, their tent looked like a spaceship). Their Bark 'n' Dash Lure Course was a huge hit, giving dogs the chance to run, chase, and sniff out treats like it was a barnyard-style Easter egg hunt.


The Shows, The Fashion, The Silliness

Even without a ticket ($20/person, dog or no dog), we hung around just long enough to witness the beginning of some of the fun—and now I kind of regret not going in. Later in the day, visitors could enjoy:

  • Mr. & Ms. Canine Canada Pageant

  • Best Costume Contest

  • Stupid Dog Trick Show

  • Dog Yoga (Yes, Doga!)

  • Races like Puppy Prowl, Running of the Pugs, Weiner Dash, Rescue Run, and Frenchie Flash

  • Doggy Dating: Single Mingle Mixer by Toronto Dating Hub!

Not to mention the obstacle courses that had pups sniffing out hidden treats with the intensity of truffle hunters. Too cute.


And for the Humans...

If your pup was living their best life, you wouldn’t be left out either. Food trucks were serving up mouthwatering eats, and for the 19+ crowd, the Woofstock Lounge was stocked with BarDog Wine, Tito’s Vodka, and Wooftinis

Mark Your Calendar for 2025!

So, was it worth the $20? In hindsight—absolutely. The experiences, photo ops, and entertainment make it a doggone good deal (even for cat lovers like us!).

👉 Next year, don’t just peek from outside the fence—join in the fun! Bring your dog, your camera, or just your sense of adventure. Heck, borrow a pooch for the day if you must. 🐕

📸 I snapped a few photos of the contestants strutting their stuff—stay tuned for those in my next post!


💬 Have you been to Woofstock or another fun pet festival? I’d love to hear about your favourite pup-tastic memories or doggie meet-cutes. Drop them in the comments below or tag me in your fur-bulous moments!

www.woofstock.ca


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