Things to Do in Richmond Hill

A pirate ship sways back and forth, whisking youngsters away on virtual high-seas adventures. Elsewhere, inflatable jumping castles invite bouncers to defy gravity while contemplating future positions in parliament. In the free-for-all Fun Game Zone, carnival mirrors distort giggling guests’ reflections, and ping-pong and air hockey test competitors’ skills. These are just a few of the many activities that fill the days at Family Fun Fest, an annual family-friendly extravaganza that entertains and enchants its myriad visitors.

As youngsters and their parental units explore the various areas of the gargantuan indoor playground, they can make a pit stop for live entertainment. Helmed by the titular Trevor, The Trevor Show dazzles audiences with interactive song and dance numbers, followed by Doo Doo the clown, who had no choice but to become a clown, what with the name Doo Doo.

Infrared heating panels raise the temperature of Hot Yoga Wellness's yoga studios to 37 degrees Celsius—the body's natural temperature—heating up muscles for deeper stretches while helping to rid bodies of toxins. During each class, certified instructors guide students of all levels through breathing techniques and poses designed to reduce stress, increase circulation, and lower blood pressure. Although class types vary slightly between locations, they typically include Vinyasa flow, traditional hot Hatha, and therapeutic yoga, during which students release long-held tension and attempt to interpret their yoga mat's dreams. To shake up regular yoga routines, some locations feature aerial yoga, in which practitioners are suspended in poses above the ground, and yoga Pilates, which gracefully blends the two stretch-centred modalities. Many locations also offer wellness treatments, such as reflexology, massage, and nutritional guidance, to further students along in their journeys to overall health.

Tour de Green Belt weaves waves of participants through Rouge Park, a scenic stretch of Ontario's Greenbelt. Originally established as a fresh-air festival on wheels, the event has since amended its "Bikes Rule, Feet Drool" decree to include hikers and joggers, as well. Multiple cycling and running routes provide majestic views of the area's natural terrain, and designated stops along those routes encourage further exploration. At Bob Hunter Memorial Park, cyclists celebrate a Canadian environmental hero, and at a newly created wetland, racers can snag cups of water at rest stations or sip from marshy puddles just like the original marathon runners of old. Once across the finish line, participants gather to mingle and refuel on a freshly prepared lunch crafted from locally sourced foods.