The Junction may be best known as the area where the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways intersect at Keele and Dundas West, but the neighbourhood's 100th birthday bash will see another intersection - that of creative flair and history.
This weekend, four walking tours, two bands, a play, a comedy duo, a photo exhibition and a troupe of tap dancers will kick off on a new, old-fashioned 12-metre-long stage called the Junction City Platform, in memory of the nearby station that was built in 1911 and destroyed in 1982.
The West Toronto Junction Historical Society has dug out a selection of old snapshots for perusal. One shows a town meeting from 1907, another, a 1950s shot of the Runnymede bus stop. Vintage garb, a photographer and a time-warped set with suitcases and typewriters will be on hand for those who want to re-enact the past.
On Monday, Councillor Bill Saundercook will reveal the former theatre district on Dundas in a historical walking tour.
"We're doing sort of a Coles Notes for the people who live here," said the event's executive producer, Michael Menegon, as construction workers banged the last details in on the platform. He notes the platform will remain at this temporary location (in a lot flanked by a café and an art school) until the end of the year. Mr. Menegon also directs the Junction Arts Festival, and plans to use the space to host those events in September; he hopes Christmas choirs will book the space too.
Today and tomorrow, noon to 5 p.m.; Monday, 1 to 8 p.m. Free. Junction Train Platform, 2960 Dundas St. W. 416-767-5036. .