Ontario offers free admission at cultural attractions

Queen’s Park will be fit for a king next Saturday with pomp, food and carnival rides plus free admission to several parks and cultural attractions across the province, including the Ontario Science Centre in Don Mills.

Ontario is marking the coronation of King Charles III with an 11:15 a.m. flag-raising ceremony hosted by Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Premier Doug Ford followed by a 21-gun salute, Indigenous drum circle and presentation of the Sovereign’s Medal for volunteers.

A “royal fun fair” with free live entertainment, food and drinks takes place from noon to 6 p.m. on the front lawn, helping to mark the first coronation of a British monarch in 70 years.

A recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute suggests 60 per cent of Canadians oppose recognizing Charles as King and 52 per cent want the country to disassociate from the monarchy, which has been rocked by a series of family rifts and scandals.

“You’re always going to have a segment of the population that is staunchly and proudly monarchist,” Angus Reid president Shachi Kurl said this week, cautioning that Charles — also Canada’s head of state — has work to do in rejuvenating the monarchy.

“He’s not really getting it done in the court of public opinion.”

There will be 39 parks open with free admission on coronation weekend. Visitors can book daily vehicle permits in advance starting Monday at 7 a.m. The list includes Algonquin Park, Wasaga Beach, Forks of the Credit, Sandbanks, Kawartha Highlands and Pinery Provincial Park on Lake Huron.

Cultural attractions with free entry are the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, Upper Canada Village, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory and Floral Showhouse, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Science North in Sudbury and Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay.