Tips on how to experience A Lake Story

A Lake Story unfolds as an expansive canoe procession that articulates Lake Ontario’s story through colour, across the sky and water. Featuring 400+ local canoers and paddlers, this memorable performance will move in a coordinated, slow-moving formation. An epic celebration of Lake Ontario along the Toronto Waterfront, Melissa McGill’s project maps Toronto’s harbour and waterfront biosphere with the lake’s own vocabulary expressed through its natural colour palette.

The work is a signature event of the new Water / Fall Festival, a city-wide initiative that convenes waterfront programmers and artists across multiple locations this fall.

Made possible with support from Presenting Sponsor, Waterfront Toronto, along with Ports Toronto, Nieuport, Waterfront BIA, Redpath Sugar, and other generous friends – full list below.

What to expect:

• A slow-moving procession of approximately 120 canoes with large, wind-activated colour field paintings will launch from Biidaasige Park and travel the Eastern Waterfront towards Sugar Beach.   
• The entire experience will last approximately 2 hours from beginning to end.  
• Two performances will begin at 11am and 4pm on September 27 and 28 
• The experience will be visible from many points along the shoreline (see recommended viewing areas below), and you’re welcome to follow along with the procession. 
• We recommend dressing accordingly for the weather. 

planning your experience

The canoe procession is planned to begin at Biidaasige Park, continuing along the East Bay Front to Sugar Beach, before turning back toward its starting point. 

Please note: the procession route may be adjusted in response to wind and weather conditions. Follow @thebentway on Instagram to monitor for possible weather-related route changes on the day.

To enjoy A Lake Story you will want to:

• Choose your preferred viewing location 
• Arrive early to explore the newly opened Biidaasige Park  
• Find the Bentway volunteers (in yellow t-shirts) to help you find your way 
• Discover the colour sources that have shaped the project

Audiences are encouraged to experience the performance along the riverbanks in Biidaasige Park, from the Cherry Street South Bridge, or across East Bay Front, where clear sightlines to the lake offer an unobstructed view of the unfolding artwork.

Recommended viewing areas:

• Biidaasige Park 
  • In the Port Lands, down Cherry St at 51 Commissioners St 
  • Parking in the area is limited. There is a small, temporary lot at 11 Munition St with 120 spaces. There is some on-street parking at certain hours on Old Cherry Street, Villiers Street and Munition Street. Read the signs to avoid ticketing. 
• Cherry Street South Bridge
  • In the Port Lands, down Cherry St past Commissioners St; find the white and yellow bridge 
• Sugar Beach 
  • Near the foot of Jarvis St, across from Redpath Sugar
• The water’s edge promenade at East Bay Front 
  • Follow Merchant’s Wharf down from the foot of Parliament St

colour palette

Explore this legend to learn more about some of the natural dyes and ingredients that inform the palette of A Lake Story. See if you can spot them during the performance!

The dyes were created using water and materials gathered from sites across Toronto’s waterfront and islands, including Gibraltar Point, the Leslie Street Spit, Sunfish Cut, Budapest Park, the re-naturalized Don River, the Keating Channel, and more. 

The lake tells its own story through these colours, shaped by ecology, geography, and human connection. 

supporters

Commissioned and led by The Bentway, A Lake Story is made possible through a coalition of waterfront stakeholders working together, including: