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We all love dressing up whether on a daily basis or as our alter ego, superhero, or just as a mere form of expression. Halloween season is one of the most fun times of the year for children; with thousands of character costumes to choose from.

On October 25 Halloween comes early this year to Riverside’s IGNITE 2015 WalkFEST Kiddie Costume Parade Walk.  At 3:00pm  Bring your kids dressed in their desirable costumes and Trick or Treat on Queen Street East. We will be meeting at Nell & Natasha’s Homeward Realty – 807A Queen St. East. We welcome parents to also showcase their costumes and share in the fun and spirit of Halloween.

We know how expensive Halloween costumes could be, so here are 10 top picks for the best Do-it-Yourself (DIY) cool Halloween Costume website links:

http://redtri.com/crafty-diy-halloween-costumes/

http://mashable.com/2014/10/09/halloween-costumes-you-can-create-from-cardboard/

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/diy-halloween-on-the-cheap-17-awesome-costumes-you-can-make-from-junk-211257

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/halloween/diy-halloween-costumes

http://www.topdreamer.com/33-easy-and-interesting-diy-halloween-costumes-for-kids/

http://www.parents.com/holiday/halloween/costumes/quick-easy-diy-halloween-costumes/

http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/29-diy-kid-halloween-costumes/

http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/tips-advice/diy-halloween-costumes-for-kids#slide-1

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/halloween-costumes-for-kids#slide-1

http://www.gameskinny.com/npb66/15-easy-diy-pokemon-halloween-costumes

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite

On October 25 at join us for the 11am– 2pm: Savoury Culinary Walk –Registration Required and the  2:30pm – 5:30pm:  Sweet Culinary Walk Registration Required

These tours allows foodies to get a taste of Riverside’s sweet and savoury burst of flavours. Our local celebrity chef lead groups on an educating eating binge through Toronto’s historic Queen Street East and authentic local restaurants and bakeries, visiting culinary gems and, in between bites.

We live in the times where a city’s culinary scene is the most significant and accessible depot of local culture. Eating locally and authentically has become the easiest and tastiest route to getting a sense of a place’s real traditions.

Tastings include Olive oils, Ontario wines, middle eastern delights,  homemade shortbread, variety of chocolates, and much more.

We live in the times where a city’s culinary scene is the most significant and accessible depot of local culture.

The way to a person’s heart is the stomach… so let us show you the way.

This is one tour you do not want to miss!

Chef Scott Savoie, owner of “The Culinary Adventure Company” is the gregarious guide for this walk – he’s passionate to showcase the culinary diversity of Canada’s largest city to locals and visitors alike. Culinary Adventure Co. Specializes in food tours, cooking classes, corporate team building events, pop up dinners and tastings, and outdoor activities with a culinary theme such as canoe and beach dining adventures and mushroom forages. It has been ranked the #1 tour company in the city by Trip Advisor since August 2011.

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite

Ever wonder what to look out for when picking out the perfect fabric for re-upholstering  an upcycled chair? What are some quick tips for buying, conditioning, and arranging flowers yourself

On Saturday October 25 at  1:00pm- 3:00pm join us for the  Style, Décor & DIY Walk

Starting at  Quince Flowers ( 660 Queen Street East)

Get style and home décor tips and tricks and DIY ideas from Riverside boutiques on this fun and fashionable walk. Learn what pieces to invest in and where you can cut costs, how to make a $50 outfit look like a million bucks, what to look for when reupholstering or choosing fabric, how to upcycle décor, and where to get sweet vintage finds.

Some of the stops on this stylish walk include:

Photo by Nick Wong

Quince Flowers – not your typical flower shop, they are artists who use flowers and their clients vision as their raw materials. Not only do they craft beautiful floral masterpieces (and their shop is truly a refreshing oasis), but they are also fantastic community builders, always ready to use their creative flair to any community event.

Dimensions Custom Framing is a fresh and expansive gallery whose owners Ellen Davidson and Wendy Palmer have an immense passion for all things creative. They have a great sense of humor, and framed everything from newspaper pictures of Rob Ford to a tattered pair of ballet shoes.

The newly opened Irish Design House, owned by Irish designers Sinead Clarke, a knitwear designer, and Benny Corrigan – a graphic designer, this store houses textiles, knitwear, jewelry, homewares and crafts from all parts of Ireland. The Irish Design House is a cosy and inviting store that feels like a home.  Each piece has been handmade, some using traditional methods but in contemporary designs.

The Fabric destination, macFab is the place to go for all the coolest fabrics, draperies and supplies.  Always striving to be ahead of the curve, this boutique fabric store also specializes custom upholstery. As quoted by the owners, “We only buy what we love and would buy for ourselves. Everyone deserves quality, from a candle to a handmade Canadian sofa. Craftsmanship is timeless. You have to visit to experience and see all the things that inspire your own version of HOME.”

Daniela Andrews

This walk will be led by lifestyle blogger and designer, Daniela Andrews, of Curious Citizen. Aside from her total devotion to chocolate (100% cocoa if you please), Daniela is also wild about fashion, travel, food, style, and décor, and she’s oh so happy to share those passions with you during your time together. Check out more about Daniela at CuriousCitizen.com

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite

Riverside’s Medicinal Plant & Herb Walk

On Saturday October 25^th join us from 2:00pm – 4:00pm for  Riverside Ignite 2015 WalkFEST’s Medicinal Plant & Herb Walk.

 Starting at  Quince Flowers (660 Queen Street East)  our neighbourhood Herbalist and City Farmer, Danette Steele, will teach us about the ultimate in accessible, local and sustainable food and medicine. Participants will learn about the local wild plants and how to use them safely as we gather up the weeds around Riverside!

Many wild plants (aka weeds) are good food and medicine. This walk will take us along Riverside sidewalks, lane-ways, and parks where we will identify local plants and enjoy a herbal treat from Pulp Kitchen. The Walk is fully accessible and will take place rain or shine – so be sure to dress for the weather. It will be an amazing opportunity to learn that many of the weeds that we pull out of our vegetable and flower gardens, and that we walk by in our local parks and along our sidewalks are actually good for us!  About 5-10 wild plants will be identified,  harvested and explained  as you learn different ways to heal all sorts of health problems.

Photo: Susan Poizner

Danette Steele, M.A., RH (OHA), who is leading this walk,  has more than 25 years of experience as a community and clinical herbal practitioner. With a busy private herbal practice in both Toronto and Halifax, Danette consults and teaches widely on self-sufficiency and sustainable practices for health and wellness using medicinal plants. Danette loves to share healing plant wisdom. She creates a participant-focused approach in her teaching spaces and is committed to a joyous and rigorous herbal learning experience – through workshops, consultations, weed walks, herbal intensives, plant meditations and herbal courses.

 Wild herbal teas will be available for tasting – so please bring your travel mug

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite

On Saturday October 25, 2014 at 11am Join Riverside in a cycle tour that starts off at Switchback Cyclery @ 651 Queen Street East.

Torontoist Don valley image

Did you know that Riverside has one of the prime entrances to the Pan Am Path? The Pan Am Path/ Don Valley trail is a beautiful natural escape along the Don River in the middle of the city. Get a taste of a portion of this 80km path which will  bring together residents, local organizations, artists and businesses to create truly vibrant public spaces that are reflections of those communities along the route. For this cycle we will head up to one of the key stops – the Evergreen Brickworks!

The Don River has played an integral role in Toronto’s history. As profiled by Jennifer Bonnell is an assistant professor in the History Department at McMaster University in her book, Reclaiming the Don: An Environmental History of Toronto’s Don River Valley.

For example did you know:

1. 1.     The Don River caught fire on at least two occasions
2. 2.     The lower portion of the Don was straightened, widened, and deepened
3. 3.     The Don Valley used to be a popular location for summer homes
4. 4.     Squatters also holed up in shacks and caves in the Don Valley
5. 5.     The steep sides of the Don Valley used to be popular with skiers
6. 6.     The Don Valley used to be a hotbed of malaria

Photograph by Andrew Williamson for Blog TO

Plus, at Evergreen Brickworks they will be celebrating Cask Days – so there will be some beer refreshments to indulge in at the end of the cycle up.  While you are up at the Brickworks,   Bike Works’ space open to chatting with fellow cycling enthusiasts about what Evergreen Brickworks is doing with their community bicycle hubs throughout the city, and at Evergreen Brickworks and how they are making the Lower Don Trail more accessible to communities.

Photo courtesy of Evergreen

Leading this meandering tour are two Riverside mainstays!  Switchback Cyclery, which offers not only great bikes and service, but also provides an opportunity for members of the Sanctuary community to work together in this exciting enterprise. Also Riverside’s all-star Rachel Conduit, will be co leading.  In a very small nutshell she is a bar owner, avid bike rider, cat lover, and community planner.

Sign up for this walk and check out others here: 

Riverside is proud to be a TO2015 IGNITE community partner.

Riverside WalkFEST is supported by Ontario Ignite