2008

Spring Toad Festival was held on May 3^rd and 4^th this year.  Cool weather and rain tried to dampen the festival, but visitors and volunteers revelled in the spring weather to enjoy America’s wetlands.  Toady the mascot danced throughout the weekend, the giant toad balloon sat prominently across the wetland bridge, and visitors enjoyed face painting, becoming toad detectives, and decorating toad abodes for their backyards. A single leopard frog called from the wetland, and one female toad was seen warming in patches of Sunday sun. We were also visited by numerous green frogs at the wetlands edge. Again we'd like to thank all of the  volunteers that made the Toad Festival a wonderful celebration of Spring.

2007

Spring Toad Festival was held on May 5th and 6th this year, and it was a hopping success!  Toads were calling from every corner of the Americas Wetlands, as well as a few Leopard frogs who thought they might join in on the fun!  A lone Green frog called from one pond, but likely did not have any luck attracting that special female frog.  Toad eggs could be seen in the ponds, as well as tadpoles.  The weather was cool, but sunny, and everyone was in high spirits.  As always, kids had the chance to be a "toad detective" and radio track a toad puppet.  There was face-painting, and a visit from the giant toad--always a favourite for kids and adults alike! Thanks to all the Zoo volunteers who helped make Toad Festival a success!

2006

Our 7th annual Spring Toad festival was a resounding success!  Hundreds of children, young adults, and their guests were treated to an exciting weekend focused on the wonders of wetlands and the animals, particularly american toads, that call them home. A special thank you goes out to the Toronto Zoo's wonderful and very knowledgeable volunteer guides.  Your enthusiasm and patience made the festival a huge success!

2005

The 2005 Spring Toad Festival took place on Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st.  Although the weather was dreary on Saturday, with cold temperatures and quite a bit of rain, those who braved it were welcomed to the Americas wetland by a magician and a face painter.  Sunday, May 1st was a warmer, drier day, but unfortunately not warm enough for our American Toad friends.  There were two Leopard Frogs swimming in the pond, and even a Midland Painted turtle climbed onto a log to bask for a while.  The only toad in the wetland was the Giant Toad, and there was a contest for visitors to enter by thinking of a suitable name for our Giant friend.  There were magic tricks, face painting, and origami for those who ventured over to the wetland, as well as radio-telemetry tracking for those who wanted to try their hand at becoming a Toad Detective!

Also this year was the premier screening of "The World of Toad Patrol," which was held in the Group Events Tent.  Both the young, and the young at heart had the chance to watch the screening and meet the series' creator, George Sarson.  A colouring contest for kids 12 and under accompanied this event.

Though the weather was gloomy, spirits were high at the 2005 Spring Toad Festival!

2004
This year's Spring Toad Festival was held on May 1st and 2nd.  Saturday, May 1st gave a huge turnout of guests and animals with a chorus of American toads calling from every corner of the America's ponds!  There were face painters, and a magician to entertain the guests, and kids were welcome to be a toad detective as they tracked a toad using radio telemetry equipment!  Sunday, May 2nd, however, was not such a great day.  The constant rain and cold temperatures were too much for our little friends to handle, and there were very few toads out.  But overall, this year's Spring Toad Festival was a success!

2003
The festival was held on May 3rd and 4th at the America's Wetland Exhibit at the Toronto Zoo. Particpants who successfully tracked a toad became Toad Detectives and were awarded with a certificate. The Giant Toad greeted guests at the entrance to the wetland area. Dozens of toads made this year's event a roaring (or a trilling!) success!

2002
2002's Festival was giant success thanks to a Giant Toad that greeted Toad Festival participants as they entered the wetlands area. Participants witnessed toads calling, toads in amplexus (the mating hug) and toad eggs. Several participants became Toad Detectives as they successfully tracked a [plastic] toad using radio telmetry.

2001
The weather for this festival was very chilly and few toads arrived to put on their spring show. Nevertheless participants were able to see other forms of wildlife and learn about wetlands and how to participate in Frogwatch-Ontario.

2000
The first year of this festival, celebrating the American Toad was a toad-al success. Activities included tracking toads and pond interpretation of American Toad behaviour.