Rabbit Season
For true believers, Easter is a time to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. For the rest of us, it’s a chance to dust off our best bonnets and overdose on chocolate eggs. Here’s hoping Peter Cottontail and the Romans don’t show up at the same march—there could be a rumble By Courtney Shea
Lions' Beaches Easter Parade
When: Easter Sunday (April 8)
Date established: 1966
Route: Along Queen Street East from Victoria Park to Woodbine
Organizers: Toronto Beaches Lions Club
Turnout: 45,000
Guiding philosophy: Chintzy floats, fuzzy six-foot rabbits and slightly sinister clowns
The mood: Sugar-rush central
Mascot: Bunnies, dogs, dogs dressed as bunnies
Spectator style: Lawn chairs, Lululemon and little kiddies worn on shoulders
Freebies for the kids: More than 45,000 pieces of free chocolate were gobbled up in '06
Christ count: The Saviour is nowhere to be seen—although an annual float from the Toronto Catholic School Board features a six-foot cross covered in white lilies
Celebs: David Miller, Bill Blair, Miss Canada and Mr. Peanut
Historical snafus: In 1997, animal activists protested the addition of elephants (on loan from the Bowmanville Zoo) to the lineup. “Now we just stick to the dogs,” says organizer Chris Yaccato. Not that the smaller beasts don’t pose their own problems: last year, one particular pup left his “business” in the middle of the route
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