An old friend needs your help. Due to circumstances beyond her control, she's had the type of nightmare year that you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy. Nationalistic pride prevents her from calling out to you but, make no mistake about it, she needs you now more than ever before.
Her name is Toronto.
The bogeyman that stomped all over her sweet dreams is known by the name of SARS. Of the 250 confirmed cases in Canada, 246 were in the Toronto region. Their tourism industry was devastated. Up to 80 percent of the people working in Toronto's hotel and hospitality sector have been laid off indefinitely.
Last Wednesday, the "SARSstock" concert headlined by the Rolling Stones drew nearly a half million fans to Canada's largest city and temporarily put some of those laid-off folks back to work. Once the caravans left the city, the men and women of the tourism industry headed back to the unemployment line.
The same scenario could have played out here in Niagara County this summer. Tourism locally was affected by the SARS scare in Toronto, with hotels and attractions off by about 30 percent in May and June, when the World Health Organization put a traveler's advisory on Canada's largest city.
Can you imagine what the scene would have been like if the virus had been detected in Niagara Falls? Hotels near empty, Maid of the Mist boats in dry dock, the new Seneca Niagara Casino laying off much of its 2,000-member workforce, the Rainbow Bridge needing just one inspection lane open.
Toronto is now living that reality. It's time for Western New York to reach out a hand to our friendly neighbors to the north. The last new SARS case was detected in Toronto on June 12, meaning that the area is in essence SARS-free. What better time than now to take a trip to the cleanest, friendliest big city in the world and help put it on the road to economic recovery?
Here are eight reasons to visit Toronto in the eighth month of 2003:
1. Toronto Kids' Tuesdays -- Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.
The first two Tuesdays in August are set aside for the young and the young-at-heart. "Once Upon A Time" is on tap for Aug. 12, when the Dufflebag Theatre will present "The Princess and the Pea." The program -- including face-painting and make-and-take crafts -- kicks off at 11 a.m. and the free admission won't strain your pocketbook. Call 416-338-0338 for more information.
2. Toronto's Festival of Beer -- Historic Fort York, 100 Garrison Road.
Beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, and running through Aug. 10, this festival is a beer drinker's delight, featuring over 250 beers from Canada's top-ranked brewers. Check out one of the three "brand experience" areas, where you can sample a beer in an environment that coincides with the lifestyle of that specific brand. Your $25 CDN admission price gets you five sampling tickets, a souvenir sampling cup and a commemorative festival program. Visit thebeerstore.ca for more information.
3. Centreville Amusement Park -- Toronto Island.
The area's only theme park that requires a ferryboat ride to reach the front gates. Centreville features 30 rides and attractions on 600 acres of parkland. After a ride on the antique carousel or a trip down the waterslide, take the kids to the nearby animal farm. Admission to Centreville Island is free. An all-day ride pass for a family of four is just $72 CDN. Call 416-203-0405 for more information.
4. Casa Loma -- 1 Austin Terrace.
Perched high atop the city's north end, Casa Loma is the rarest of all urban treats -- a castle smack dab in the middle of the city. Built by Sir Henry Pellatt to fulfill his childhood dream of reigning as king of his very own castle, Casa Loma has been operated as a tourist attraction by the Kiwanis Club of West Toronto since 1937. Explore the secret staircases, grand guestrooms and 800-foot tunnel leading to the stables, and wander the 5-acre gardens. Admission is $12 CDN for adults and $6.75 CDN for kids. Call 416-923-1171 for more information.
5. The Tall Ship Kajama -- Queen's Quay and Lower Simcoe Street.
This 165-foot, three-masted schooner, featuring over 7,000 square feet of sail, traversed the waters between Russia and northern Africa for more than 60 years. Restoration was completed in 2000, and the ship now makes a daily two-hour tour that includes Toronto Harbour and the open waters of Lake Ontario. Adult fare is $19.95 CDN while the child's rate is just $10.95 CDN. Call 416-260-6355 for more information.
6. The CN Tower -- 31 Front St. W.
While we're on the subject of tall things, no trip to Toronto is complete without a stop at the CN Tower. At 1814.3 feet, the CN Tower is the world's tallest freestanding structure. It features a revolving restaurant, a sky pod and simulator rides. The truly adventurous can test their mettle by walking out onto the glass floor some 113 stories above ground. The Total Tower Experience package -- including the Look Out, Glass Floor, Sky Pod, a film and two rides -- can be had for $31.99 CDN per person. Call 416-360-8500 for more information.
7. Hippo Tours -- 151 Front St. W.
Is it a boat or is it a bus? It's both! The Hippo Amphibus will introduce you to the top downtown sights before plunging into the waters of Lake Ontario. The 90-minute tours depart every hour on the hour and cost $35 CDN per adult. Call 416-703-HIPO for more information.
8. Peace Taxi -- Various locations throughout Toronto.
According to the event profile, "Peace Taxi is an art project that brings cross-cultural artists, taxi drivers and the general public together in response to globalization and the threat to civil liberties around the world." Throughout August, a number of Canadian artists will work with cab drivers to examine their reaction to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Look for the yellow "Peace Taxi" logo displayed on participating taxis. To order a "Peace Taxi" for your trip inside Toronto, call 416-745-5100 or look for them at the Downsview Subway passenger pick-up.
Toronto has provided culture, arts and attractions to the people of Western New York for decades and asked nothing but our friendship in return.
The hour has struck when our neighbor to the north needs something in return.
The people of Toronto put a message in a bottle and addressed it to each of you reading these words.
The message paraphrases a song of the Rolling Stones -- the band that flew back from Europe just to headline last week's concert. The message is this:
"We're not waiting on a lady; we're just waiting on a friend."
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | August 5 2003 |