by Lori Straus
With summer on spring’s heels, nothing says outdoors and socializing more than warm weather, a bright sun, and clear skies. Unfortunately, the pandemic is putting a wrench in many summer road trips and other travel plans. But not to be undone by an invisible foe, several organizations are already trying to find solutions. Here are a few activities you can plan for.
Vincent Van Gogh by Car
From June 18-28, people can drive in to a 600,000 sq ft space to experience an immersive Vincent van Gogh exhibition that will use light, sound, and digital projections. The space used to house the Toronto Star’s printing presses at 1 Yonge St. The exhibition will allow up to 14 cars per time slot, engines turned off of course.
Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and include free admission to the walk-in version of the exhibition at a later date.
The Toronto Zoo
The pandemic has caused the Toronto Zoo financial difficulties, leading to a fundraising drive for $1million to raise money to feed its 5,000 animals. The campaign was launched mid-April and within a week had raised over $500,000, enough food, the zoo says, to feed animals for the next six months. To say that the zoo has its fans is clearly an understatement. But how to visit?
The Toronto Zoo will become a temporary drive-through zoo beginning May 23rd. Called the Scenic Safari Drive-Thru Experience, the zoo promises something very new, and not just the novelty of driving through in your car: driving on roads throughout the zoo normally intended for staff only, pedestrian walkways, and even through the lion cave in the African Savanna.
For fans of the African Lion Safari in Cambridge, as of this writing, they have only said that their opening has been delayed because of the pandemic. The popular family destination has not yet announced an opening date.
Rebirth of the Drive-In?
With a few tweaks, drive-ins may make a comeback, at least this summer. According to driveinmovie.com, Ontario has only 16 drive-in theatres left, just under half of Canada’s 37 in total. Currently, drive-ins are not allowed to open in Ontario, but with any luck that will change. If they do open, drive-ins will need to establish procedures to maintain physical distancing measures not only between cars but also at the washrooms and concession stand.
If You Don’t Own a Car
Businesses are adjusting as best they can to the situation. If you don’t own a car but want to attend a car-friendly event, call the venue and ask if they have any other options. They may have a car-free solution ready to go or already in the plans, too, that they just haven’t advertised as widely. If the answer is no, though, write a kind email to the owner or general manager. At the very least, you’re letting them know that they have fans who can’t come right now. But please understand that they are doing the best they can given the extraordinary situation we all find ourselves in these days.
Keep Your Ears Open
We don’t know how long we’ll be in this new normal, but we do know that many businesses are trying to adjust. Sign up to relevant email lists or follow your favourite businesses and entertainment outlets on social media to stay current. With guidelines changing weekly, sometimes daily, and with these remarkable businesses finding fresh ways to work within this ever-changing environment, more options will appear with time. So, keep your car tuned up and ready to go!