Blue Jays 2025 Home Opener

This year's Major League Baseball Opening Day is on Thursday, March 27 as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the American League East team of the Baltimore Orioles. Start time is 3:07pm and while the weather has cooled down a touch it should still be a nice day to go see the ball game in the dome known as the Rogers Centre. And don't forget to #work from Dome!

The opening ceremonies included unfurling a rather large Canadian flag by members of the Canadian military

The day will also include a touque giveaway upon entry, a schedule magnet after the game and a little heartbreak from the bruising the Jays received at the hands of the Orioles.

Player introductions

National anthems by the cast of The Lion King

See more of opening day after the jump.

Toronto Elbows Up to protect local economy

American tariffs and the President's call to make Canada the 51st State has put pressure on Toronto City Council who have vowed to protect the local economy during this trade war. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow created an Economic Action Plan (10 actions) in response to the tariffs which has now been approved by City Council. You can see the love LOCAL sign in Nathan Phillips Square in the photo at top.

The strategy seeks to protect local businesses, workers and residents against the rapidly evolving slew of on and off again policy changes by the U.S. and includes preferring Canadian suppliers in procurement contracts. America tariffs on all steel and aluminum began in March and the further blanket 25% tariffs on Canadian products (10% on energy) is expected to begin on April 2, 2025.

Mayor Olivia Chow says, “Facing a senseless and harmful trade war, Toronto’s Economic Action Plan will protect businesses and workers with targeted support. As part of a Team Canada approach, I am encouraging all Torontonians to stand together and support local businesses by shopping local and buying Canadian whenever possible. Like SARS, the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, we will face this crisis and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before."

Some of the actions also include a property tax deferral program, support of the manufacturing sector with a media campaign showcase, partnership with regional municipalities and others to expand global markets beyond America, buy local where feasible and begin the Love Local campaign encouraging shopping locally.

Lumière: The Art of Light in Toronto 2025

In the half of Ontario Place that isn't a future private spa there is a park with a number of light installations that are interesting enough in the daytime to spark a visit. I am sure they look even better at night (From Dusk to 11:00 PM nightly, weekends included).

Lux Array

The Lumiere installation map

From the Ontario Place website, "Experience the enchantment of Lumière: The Art of Light, a free outdoor light exhibition that will transform Trillium Park at Ontario Place into a mesmerizing display of light-based art from March 10 to April 4, 2025. Featuring 14 bold and imaginative installations by talented Ontario-based artists across diverse disciplines, Lumière brings the theme of “Neon Dreams: Light and Colour” to life. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, sparking curiosity, or simply embracing wonder, Lumière invites you to discover the magic of light and art. Bonfires: Cozy up at the Trillium Park fire pit every Friday and Saturday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. During March Break, bonfires will light up nightly! (weather permitting)."

Nostalgia Mechanica

Golden Eye

See more of the art after the jump.

Winter Stations art installations at Woodbine Beach until March 30

Toronto's only reason to go on the sandy beach in mid-winter continues from Family Day (Feb 17) until the end of March (Mar 30), 2025 at Woodbine Beach. The free public exhibition features six temporary works of art, or art-like, things. 'Slice of Sun' is shown in the photo at top.

Inside Slice. Slice of Sun by Cláudia Franco, Mariam Daudali, Tom Byrom (Portugal)

Winter Stations is an annual, single-stage international design competition that places the art around, or adjacent to the lifeguard towers along Kew and Woodbine beaches. While the beaches are busy during the summer, it is nice that the works bring people to the beach in the cold of winter. For 2025 the theme is Dawn, explained as follows.

From the Winter Stations website, "Dawn marks the beginning of a new era for Winter Stations as it steps into its 11th year, symbolizing a fresh chapter in its creative journey. Just as the first light of morning breaks through the darkness, the exhibition will explore the moments of profound change that redefine and shape our existence, highlighting the delicate process of shedding old layers to emerge as something new. Dawn represents the shift from night to day, and this year, designers are invited to explore how Winter Stations can evolve, and to consider the future of the exhibition and its relationship with the public and the environment. "

Parade by Jesse Beus (USA)

Peak by University of Waterloo School of Architecture and the Department of Architectural Engineering (Canada)

See more of Winter Stations after the jump.

Toronto Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo 2025

Canada's biggest, baddest indoor car show is back in town for the annual eBay Motors Toronto Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo. The auto enthusiast and motorsports show is in the International Centre from March 7 to 9, 2025. A model from last year's show is posted at top, now let's see the 2025 show.

The NASCAR Canada Series trophy and racecar

It's all automotive during the show with custom cars, hot rods, tuners, race cars, trucks along with some truly impressive vehicles like the NHRA Top Fuel Dragster, two Batmobile inspired cars, joined by two dozen car clubs plus some celebrities like Chip Foose and the Rust Bros.

Rust Bros Avery "Wildman" Shoaf and Mike Hall at their Q&A

This truly is a massive show and the lineups to get into Motorama are challenging to get into the parking. Don't forget about the nearby GO Station parking lot off of Derry Road, go through the tunnels and into the International Centre.

Chip Foose signs autographs for a long line of fans

From the show, "Saturday & Sunday, meet Chip Foose the star of the legendary TV show Overhaulin’ and one of the industry’s most talented, respected and beloved designer/builders. All three days, it’s the Rust Bros 2.0 at Motorama! The stars of their own YouTube channels and TV’s Rust Valley Restorers, Mike Hall and Avery Shoaf are coming back to cause more chaos. Last year, they drove through a prairie blizzard, from BC. This year, Mike is taking the train to Toronto!"

You can also tour the halls of the Centre for Straight Axle Madness and their drag cars, visit the Gulf Race Fuels Racing Zone presented by Stoneridge with over 80 race cars on display, discover Spring Fever with modified cars and the tuner lifestyle or see Truck-O-Rama on display with all types of trucks.

Some of the pinup contestants 

The 'Backroom' will feature the old school lifestyle along with vintage cars and pinup girls. The Miss Motorama Pinup Pageant which takes place Saturday, March 8 at 1:30pm in Hall 3.

Some of the special events happening over the weekend are Fast Eddie Speedwear Night of Champions, Past Grand Champions, the Hagerty Awards with the Motorama Grand Champion crowned Sunday and watch the Meguiar's Stage for celebrity Q&A sessions, award presentations and the ever popular panel discussions.

Show Info:

Toronto International Centre 

Fri, March 7 (10 am - 8 pm)

Sat, March 8 (10 am - 8 pm)

Sun, March 9 (10 am - 5 pm)

Adults $25 | Seniors (65+) $20 | Youth (7-15) $17 | Children (0-6) Free

See more of the cars after the jump.

Win tickets to the Boat Show 2025 at the International Centre

Update: Patrick R has won the tickets. Congrats Patrick and thanks for entering the contest.

Toronto is blessed to sit along the beautiful body of water currently known as Lake Ontario (I don't think its been changed by that guy yet) and if you don't have a boat, how can you possibly live life to the fullest? Probably, like most of us, you would just dream of the boat life or you could see the watercraft at the Boat Show at the International Centre, Hall 2 from March 27 to 30, 2025. If you would like a chance to win a set of tickets to the show, good for one day's entrance for two people, then shoot me an email (jmhcet@gmail.com) or comment on this post. Good luck to everyone.

From the show, "The Boat Show at the International Centre is an immersive boating and marine-related showcase. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore a wide array of watercraft, from sleek luxury to high-performance to family-orientated vessels. There will also be family-friendly pontoons, water fun, and fishing. Whether you dream of conquering the waves or skimming the calm waters, this event has everything waiting for you."

Some of the highlights of the show include some boat manufacturers that you will only see at this show (Robalo, Frauscher, Alukin, Nimbus, Centurion, Supreme Nautique, Chris Craft, Chaparral, and Sea Ray) and witness some new model unveilings, spectacular exhibitions of technology, products and services and look for some exclusive boat show offers.

Show Info:

Where: International Centre
6900 Airport Road, Mississauga

Date and hours: 

Thursday, March 27, 2025, 01:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday, March 28th, 2025, 11:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 29th, 2025, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday, March 30th, 2025, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission:
Seniors 65 years & Older: $17.00
Adults $20.00
Youths 6-12: $15.00
Kids under 10: Free
Parking is free at the International Centre

Win tickets to the Spring Toronto Motorcycle & Powersports Supershow 2025

Update: The tickets have been won by Jay L. Thanks to all that have entered the giveaway.

Toronto is heading into the sweet spot of winter, the springy part of winter and what better way to celebrate the upcoming warmer weather than to pick out your new motorcycle, or new to you motorcycle. And where can you see plenty of new models along with some previously owned bikes and accessories? At the Spring Toronto Motorcycle & Powersports Supershow, naturally, which will run March 29 and 30, 2025 in Hall 1 of the International Centre. If you would like a chance to win a set of tickets to the show, good for one day's entrance for two people, then shoot me an email (jmhcet@gmail.com) or comment on this post. Good luck to everyone.

In addition to finding used bikes you could even sell your bike at the show, then you could check out the new bike market with 2025 models in dealer displays including Ducati motorcycles. Other features include a Super Swap where you can find that perfect part that you have been searching for, a red-carpet vintage motorcycle exhibit, representation from motorcycle clubs with planned rides and rallies and also the much anticipated International Spring Cup Bike Builders Competition (winners announced on Sunday).

Show info:

DATE: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 10:00 pm – 7:00 pm Sunday, March 30, 2025, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm WHERE: International Centre 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga 

ADMISSION: Seniors 65 years & Older: $15.00 Adults $20.00 Youths 10-15: $10.00 Kids under 10 Free 

FREE PARKING

Toronto Catstravaganza

Exhibition Place will be the temporary home to fuzzy cats who probably don't care that you are coming just to watch them, but you know you can't keep away during the two day Catstravaganza happening Saturday to Sunday, March 1-2, 2025 from 10am to 4pm each day. The show will happen in the Queen Elizabeth Building (180 Princes' Boulevard) right beside BMO Field. Coverage by Ann and James.

From their website,"Experience the Toronto Catstravaganza® ! You’ll find an International Cat Competition where Pedigrees and Moggies compete for the ultimate prizes of Best Kitten, Best Junior, Best Cat, Best Neuter and Best Household Pet. Discover all there is to know about your feline friends by taking a seat in one of our judging rings, where International Judges will present their “Best in Show” and explain everything there is to know about your favorite breeds and moggies."

See more of the cat show after the jump.