Several streets in downtown Toronto are shutting down for a few hours Saturday for ceremonial events marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of York.

Most of the road closures will be due to a parade that starts at 11:30 a.m. with a formation area on Queen’s Park Crescent.

As a result, Queen’s Park Crescent is closed between Bloor Street West and College Street from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

From there, more than 1,500 members of the Canadian Forces will march from Queen’s Park to Fort York National Historic Site.

The parade of marching bands, sailors and soldiers in ceremonial uniforms, and regimental colours is one of the largest military parades ever held in Toronto, according to the city.

Because of the parade route, the following roads will be closed:

  • University Avenue between College and Richmond streets, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (east-west cross streets will continue to flow through gaps in the parade).
  • Richmond Street between University Avenue and Portland Street, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (north-south cross streets will continue to flow through gaps in the parade).
  • Portland Street between Richmond and Front streets, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (on-street parking is restricted until the parade has passed).
  • Front Street between Portland and Bathurst streets, from noon to 1 p.m. (on-street parking restricted until the parade has passed).
  • Bathurst Street between Front Street and Fort York Boulevard, noon to 1 p.m.
  • Fort York Boulevard between Bathurst and Fleet streets, from noon to 2 p.m.

The parade will also disrupt TTC service on some routes.

Between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., the 94 Wellesley and 5 Avenue Road bus routes, and streetcars on the 501 Queen, 504 King, 505 Dundas, 506 Carlton, 510 Spadina and 511 Bathurst routes will experience “minor delays” due to the parade, the city and the TTC say.

The ceremonial events get underway at 9 a.m. at Queen’s Park, where the Canadian Force’s 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment will present a dynamic capability demonstration, including an urban patrol, parachute demonstration and rappelling.

After that, Prince Philip will present a new regimental colour to the battalion in front of Queen’s Park at 10 a.m. That event will be followed by the parade.

At 1:30 p.m., a commemorative ceremony will be held at Fort York National Historic Site.

All the events are open to the public.

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