A $5,000 apartment isn't necessarily all that swank in Toronto these days. With the average price of a condo atmore than $400,000, a detached home more than a million, and, rental prices are likewise rapidly spiralling upward. For the most part, this list of $5,000-a-month properties is frighteningly mundane: there are no moats, no turrets, no champagne filled swimming pools or basement cinemas.

This is what $5,000 a month gets you in Toronto's rental market.

$5,000 in High Park
This limestone building used to be a church. Now it's a two-bedroom luxury loft with underground parking and exposed beams that boasts a panoramic view from the bell tower. Inside this $5,000 a month unit, the lucky renter will find two bedrooms, two bathrooms, granite work surfaces, stained glass, and wooden floors--"executive luxury."

Move on if... Living in a converted church threatens to awaken the demon in you.

$4,950 in Moore ParkThree bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a substantial backyard overlooking the Moore Park Ravine. Five grand a month buys nice digs (as it should,) but this property is really nothing special. It's all about the prestigious location away from the proletariat.

Move on if... You get sweaty palms at the prospect of paying $5,000 to rent a carbon copy of your friend's home in small town Ontario.

$4,500 in the BeachesHard wood floors and chrome appliances are everywhere in this vast detached home on Willow Ave. There are three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and something called a "private master suite oasis," where one can retreat after another day making big bucks.

Move on if... You're a shower stall traditionalist. This one just sprays right onto the floor for some reason.

$4,500 in Bloor West VillageOn Clendenan Ave. near High Park station, $4,500 is enough to rent a pleasant looking, if wholly unremarkable, four-bedroom, three bathroom house. It's got a wood-burning fireplace, a finished basement with separate entrance, freshly painted walls, and enough parking spaces (four) to accommodate a motorcade.

Move on if... You're creeped out by the abandoned rocking chair in the basement.

$4,800 in Cabbagetown

This cute worker's cottage with gingerbread trim was built at a time when the local area was so poor its residents subsistence farmed their front yards. In 2015, it costs the best part of $5,000 to rent each month. For the money, the lucky tenant gets two bedrooms (both ensuite,) a rooftop deck, finished basement, garage, and the privilege of not having to grow food in order to survive.

Move on if... You think paying thousands in rent will translate into an abundance of floor space.

$4,500 at Yonge and Gerrard
This two bedroom unit on the 68th floor of the Aura building at Yonge and Gerrard is quite possibly the highest place on the market in the $5,000 price range. What it appears to lack in charm (the photos are weird and horrible) it makes up for with expansive views of downtown, the Toronto Island, and Lake Ontario.

Move on if... Those floor-to-ceiling windows make your knees weak with fear.

What do you think? Would you lay down five grand for any of these places?

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

The top beaches in Toronto can make you feel like you've escaped the city entirely, even as you're well within its borders. Whether you want to kick back on a beach towel, get in on a game of beach volleyball, or show your exhibitionist side on nude-approved territory, there's something for everyone to enjoy in the summer.

Here, in no particular order, are my picks for the top beaches in Toronto.

Sunnyside Beach
Sunnyside Beach boasts a well loved stretch of sand, perfect for those looking for a day away from the hustle and bustle of downtown city life. The water quality here isn't always the best thanks to the proximity to the Humber River, but you'll still see plenty of paddlers and sun-seeking locals soaking up the rays.

Ward's Island Beach
Ward's Island has a distinct cottage-country vibe, which is welcome in a city populated with skyscrapers and streetcars. Typically very busy on weekends and gloriously quiet during the week, this island paradise is an escape from city life that's only 20 minutes away from the Financial District.

Hanlan's Point Beach
Are you proud of your beach body? Feel free to show it all off at the clothing optional beach at Hanlan's Point. If you're a little more on the modest side, there's also the "clothing mandatory" area, which is just as good. The sand and water quality at both ends is some of the best in the city, so look forward to a rock-free day of relaxation.

Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach is a contender for the most popular beach in the city. Parking spaces are hard to come by on weekends, but if you can manage to get down there you'll find it filled with sunbathers and windsurfers alike. If you're lucky, you'll be able to catch one of the old-style food trucks that occasionally swings by to dish up eats by the beach.

Woodbine Beach
Woodbine Beach is one of the most well-loved areas in the Beaches for good reason. It boasts a huge swath of volleyball courts, for those who prefer outdoor activities to lounging. Plus, if you don't feel like braving Lake Ontario, you always have the option of diving into the safe, chlorinated waters of the Olympic Pool (located just off/above the beach).

Kew Balmy Beach
You'll find this neighbouring beach slightly less busy and better for quiet lounging. It boasts an off-leash dog park and is close to tennis courts, volleyball courts, a baseball diamond and a private lawn bowling club, if you want to play a game or two. It also leads into Kew Park, so you can have a post beach picnic in the shade if that's up your alley.

Bluffer's Beach Park
Bluffer's Beach Park is one of the more picturesque waterfront areas in the city and is definitely worth the trek to Scarborough. There's plenty of room for an impromptu frisbee game and the water quality generally remains at Blue Flag for the whole summer, so swimming is no problem. There's also a full service restaurant and bar, where you can kick back with a pint and watch the boats.

Rouge Beach
If you're willing to drive almost all the way out to Pickering, Rouge Beach is the ideal place for a day trip. It offers ample space to take part in outdoor activities like kayaking and fishing (with a license, of course). Word to the wise: the sand is pretty rocky, so if you prefer to lay about, you may want to go elsewhere.

Sugar Beach
Known as one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in the city, this beach will have you kicking back in style under a giant pink umbrella. Remember to sport your most fashion-forward swimsuit because there's a big chance you'll make it into the background someone's pic. You can't swim here, but the sand and the view are pristine.

HTO Park
If your ideal beach day is kicking back in a Muskoka chair in the shade, look no further. Populated with beach chairs and massive yellow umbrellas, this is the perfect place to get some R&R in the city. Plus, because it's in such close proximity to the Harbourfront Centre, you can easily check out one of the many summer festivals after you spend the morning soaking up the sun.

What did I miss? Add your favourite Toronto beach to the comments below.

Photo by you picked me in the blogTO Flickr pool

Toronto is home to a bunch of hidden parks and courtyards that offer an undisturbed escape from the city streets. For those of you who have crossed all the more popular parks off your list this summer, bring your morning walk or afternoon reading to one of these gems, which range from tucked-away outdoor art galleries to sprawling public gardens to secluded forests, all are within city limits.

Here are my picks for the top hidden parks and courtyards in Toronto.

Ireland Park
Eerie but beautiful, this lakeside park finally reopened last summer after four years of being fenced off. Tucked at the foot of Bathurst, it's haunted by a collection of age-bitten sculptures that commemorate the 38,000 Irish famine victims who arrived here in the late 1800s, making it a spooky place to disappear for a few hours.

Craigleigh Gardens Park
Just north of Bayview and Bloor is Craigleigh Gardens Park, a gem that's often overlooked due to its proximity to Brick Works (it's only a kilometre away). A gothic-style entrance gives the park an air of secrecy, and once you're inside there aren't usually many people around, so the place feels all your own.

Toronto Sculpture Garden
Across the street from St. James Cathedral and wedged between La Marquette restaurant and Aveda Institute Toronto, this tiny park (seriously, it's only 25 by 30 metres) is a hidden outdoor showcase for some pretty fascinating artwork. The exhibit changes over time, so every time you stop in it's a totally different vibe.

Diversity Garden Park
There's an unexpected pocket of nature behind City Hall. Secluded in the middle of our concrete downtown core, the former parking lot is now a blooming community garden that symbolizes and promotes diversity. It's a quiet and convenient oasis to escape to, and it's never too crowded, save for the odd politician on their lunch break.

St. Patrick's Square

Slip past the Queen Street Market and just north of the historic building you'll find St. Patrick's Square, a small rectangular sitting area dotted with trees. It's a shady place to bring your afternoon reading session, and also steeped in Toronto history. Not all the row houses are original, but the few that remain speak to the city of old. It's a wonderful little escape in the heart of the city.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Nestled into a hole-in-the-wall space near College and Dovercourt, this new record shop is also home to the Toronto Radio Project. Here you'll find a tight collection of vinyl that shows off what many of the DJs at the radio station are spinning as well as live-to-air broadcasts from TRP.

Read my review of City Beat Records in the services section.

Night It Up has returned for another year with a dizzying array of street eats from across the globe. The three day affair is one of the best night markets in the Toronto area. From Peking duck poutine to stinky tofu, there's something for everyone's palate. The market continues through the weekend to July 26.

Check out a small sampling of some of our favourite food from Night It Up 2015 in this photo gallery.

Photo by Lori Whelan in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Free events in Toronto will have you getting in the spirit for Caribana. Whether you plan to don a feather headdress or celebrate from the sidelines, there's plenty of cost-free carnival themed fun on tap this week. If you're not in the mood for festival crowds, head to Regent Park for a free screening of Boyz N The Hood.

Here's what to do if you barely made rent.

Live Music at Ontario's Celebration Zone
PANAMANIA may be on a break, but there's still many live musical events associated with the Games. This week you'll see Jeremy Fisher (July 28), Down With Webster (July 31), Kardinal Offishall (August 1), and lots more -- all for free at Ontario's Celebration Zone.

Under the Stars: Movies in the Park - BOYZ N THE HOOD (July 29)
Into watching Ice Cube flex his acting muscles? Who isn't? Head to Regent park to catch an outdoor screening of 1991 drama: Boyz N The Hood.

Caribana (July 30-August 2)
Caribana is back for its 47th year and just keeps getting better. Offering up tons of music and entertainment, this is one of the summer's most anticipated events for good reason. This Saturday check out the parade on Lakeshore Boulevard free of charge. See what went down last year in our slideshow.

Maker Festival 2015 (August 1)
Maker Festival showcases the best and brightest talent in the world of technology. Head to the Toronto Reference Library to see 3D printer demonstrations, learn what goes into building a robot, or test your own abilities in creative workshops.

TD Irie Music Festival (August 1-2)
The TD Irie Music festival takes over Fort York for two days to celebrate Canadian-African culture. Headliners include Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons, Junior Reid and more. Admission is only free if you are wearing a Toronto Carnival Costume on August 1st or before 5 p.m., so arrive early or plan on dressing to impress.

Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it to our Toronto events calendar using this form.

The top beaches near Toronto will have you escaping the city for some much needed R&R. If you've had your fill of city life and need a bit of a vacation, head to one of these nearby spots for a little down time. There's sun, sand, and for the most part significantly less pollution (noise and otherwise) to bring you down.

Here, in no particular order, are my picks for the top beaches near Toronto.

Lakefront Park (Oshawa)
Head to a more eastern Lake Ontario beach to escape the crowds of Hanlan's Point and Woodbine. Lakefront Park offers an expansive stretch of sand and water with parks and tons of sports facilities around. You can lie in the sun or play beach volleyball or throw the ball around at the baseball diamonds.

Bronte Beach Park in Oakville
If you are down to do a full day trip, Bronte Beach Park is never a let down. In close proximity to Bronte Village, you'll be able to spend you're day doing much more than just laying out in the sun (which is probably good for your skin). There's a bevy of shops and restaurants in the area as well as a large playground to keep you busy.

Kelso Conservation Area
Kelso Conservation area is unique in that it transforms with the seasons. In the winter months it is home to fifteen ski slopes but as soon as the snow thaws, you'll find a picturesque beach worthy of the drive to Milton.

Kinsmen Beach (Port Perry)
Port Perry is the perfect place to get away from it all. Relax on the sands of Kinsmen Beach or head to a grassy patch near the water for a picnic or impromptu frisbee tournament. As much fun as beers in Bellwoods are, they'd probably be a lot better here.

Innisfil Beach Park
Innisfil Beach Park is the jack of all trades, as far as beaches are concerned. It boasts three soccer fields, two baseball diamonds, playgrounds, a public boat launch, as well as a long stretch of shoreline where you can relax on the sands or take a dip in Lake Simcoe.

What did I miss? Add your favourite beach near Toronto to the comments.

Photo by Chris Headon

When news that Passion Pit cancelled their scheduled performance at WayHome Music Festival due to illness, rumours ran amuck at Burl's Creek Event Grounds about who would replace them. That is until event organizers revealed Broken Social Scene would be swapped in.

Some swore Kanye West would be called in because he's controversially headlining the Pan Am Games closing ceremonies on Sunday night. Others guessed that the festival would give the Six a nod by having Drake fill in. Still others claimed that Arcade Fire would take the stage.

Broken Social Scene proved to be more than just a replacement. They blasted on stage with horns blaring, jokingly announcing themselves as Passion Pit. They quickly moved into a set that had the audience singing along to songs such as Texico Bitches and they even brought out Amy Millan and Evan Cranely from Stars to join them.

The surprise show concluded with an impressive fireworks display before the crowd switched gears to see headliner Kendrick Lamar perform.

Photo by louiseglesson

Sunday roasts are Toronto dinner tradition at pubs and English-inspired restaurants. The ritual is especially appealing for homesick Brits longing for the comforts of home, though almost anyone appreciate these belly-filling, heart warming suppers featuring a slab of slow cooked meat with all the fixins.

Here are my picks for the top Sunday roast dinners in Toronto.

The Oxley
Every Sunday, this inviting pub in Yorkville serves roast beef and Yorkshire pudding a la carte, while a feasting menu served family style can be had with three days notice. Parties of at least five, can opt for the traditional roast beef dinner for $28 per person, while parties of at least eight guests can take advantage of the roasted prime rib roast for $36 per head.

The Borough
This modern English gastropub on the Danforth offers an entire menu devoted to the traditional of the Sunday roast. Starters include mini Yorkshire puddings, chicken pot pie bites, smoked ham hock and pork belly terrine, salad and soup, but the main event is the roasted Beretta rib roast ($25) served with roasted potatoes, seasonal veggies, and a Yorkshire pudding topped with red wine jus.

House on Parliament
The prime rib dinner is a weekly affair at this Cabbagetown watering hole. From 5 p.m. On Sundays, find this $18 dinner served complete with Yorkshire pudding, vegetables, mashed potatoes and bread pudding to finish.

Queen & Beaver
Weekend roasts must be reserved (and secured by credit card) by the Thursday in advance at this public house on Elm Street. The feasting menu offers a variety of family-style supper ranging from venison stew and dumplings to beef wellington, but none are more popular than the classic prime rib roast. Priced at $36 per person (for parties of eight minimum) the dinner comes complete with Yorkshire puddings, veg, and mash.

O&B
Looking for someplace fancier than a pub? O&B's Cafe Grill at Yonge & Front and in Bayview Village offer black Angus strip loin with Yorkshire pudding, buttermilk mash and pan gravy every Sunday for $23 ($13 for kids). Canteen offers Sunday roast for $21 too, but the choice of meat rotates weekly.

The Bristol
On Sundays from 6 p.m. until it sells out (and it does indeed sell out) find a roast beef dinner on for $20. The meal comes complete with seasonal veg, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. It even includes sticky toffee pudding with a dollop of custard for dessert.

Ceili Cottage
A Sunday roast dinner is tradition at this Leslieville pub house, but each week there's a different type of roast on offer. Whatever Ceili's is serving, be it roasted chicken, lamb, or beef, expect an ultra-filling, soul-warming supper. Past dinners have featured braised Ontario beef shoulder with mashed potatoes, cauliflower, creamed kale and rich gravy.

Brooklyn Tavern
This laid back tavern on Queen St. East offers a black Angus pot roast every Sunday from 5 p.m. onward. It's sliced and served with fingerling potatoes (or sometimes mashed) with roasted root vegetables, and it'll arrive to the table smothered in jus.

Artful Dodger
The prime rib dinner offered every Sunday at this pub near Yonge and Wellesley is priced at $15.95. The meaty main is accompanied by Yorkshire pudding, mash, sautéed mushrooms, and veg, and it's served with both gravy and horseradish.

The Feathers Pub
Served Friday through to Sunday after 5 p.m., the roast supper at this Upper Beaches pub is a beacon for expats and Britophiles. The prime rib dinner comes in a choice of 6 ounce ($14.99) or 8 ounce ($17.50) cut, and is served with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potato and vegetables.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions in the comments.

Photo from O&B by Cindy La.

The punk scene in Toronto has a long and storied history. From jam-packed, sweat-stained basement clubs to full scale riots on outdoor stages, our city knows how to entertain danger. Still home to some of the country's finest punk and hardcore, Toronto has its fair share of venues to welcome our aggressive tendencies, but there are a great many that we've lost along the way.

Here's a selection of punk rock bars that are gone but not forgotten.

Larry's Hideaway
If there's a prototype for the scuzzy dive bar, Larry's certainly fit the bill. Before there was even such a thing as an all-ages show, it was the easiest club to sneak in to as a young punk kid. Housed in the basement of the Prince Carlton Hotel, amongst the junkies and prostitutes that inhabited the building, punk, metal and experimental music found a de facto home.

Crash N' Burn
Crash N' Burn opened in 1977 and has come to be recognized as the first punk club opened in Toronto. Run by pop punk legends The Diodes, it may also be the first DIY, artist-controlled space known to our city. It was short-lived though as complaints from the buildings other tenants, The Liberal Party of Canada.

The Big Bop
One memorable thing about the Bop was that it got so hot in there that the walls would be sweating. An even better reason to remember it is that it hosted some of the greatest talent to roll through Toronto. Oh and the sound was pretty great. Not strictly a punk club, it welcomed veterans like Cro-Mags and Dayglo Abortions as well as up-and-comers like alexisonfire and Billy Talent.

Siesta Nouveaux
Siesta Nouveaux was proof positive that punk wasn't just anger and frustration but also community spirit. The minimalist space carried the unhinged enthusiasm of a suburban basement show to the big city. In giving local kids a place to hang out and hear something outside the mainstream, Siesta Nouveaux clearly secured its place amongst our city's historic venues.

Club Rockit
It might be more known as the club from Scott Pilgrim vs The World, but Club Rockit holds an interesting place in Toronto punk history. Widely seen as a place for pay-to-play battle of the bands schemes, Rockit also filled in the cracks with bands like Dillinger Escape Plan who absolutely lit the place up, exorcising the ghosts of high school gymnasium talent show heroes everywhere.

What did I miss? Add your most missed Toronto punk venues in the comments.

Photo of Larry's Hideaway

The city of Toronto and Pan Am Games organizers are promising a huge fireworks display tonight. If you missed the show that took place in conjunction with the opening ceremonies, not to fret: tonight's is supposed to be bigger and better.

While no one will reveal just how much firepower will fuel the pyrotechnics, some of the following words have been thrown around to hype the show: "huge," "dazzling," "captivating." Given that the first show was more impressive than many expected, we could be in for something special tonight. Now the expectations are up!

The fireworks get underway at Nathan Phillips Square the CN Tower at 10 p.m., which will be followed by a huge display at the CN Tower the Nathan Phillips Quare show at around 10:40pm or so. If you head to the city hall for the first one, you'll have a pretty good vantage point for the second. Let's hope it all lives up to the hype.

Photo by Jackman Chiu in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Discussion surrounding the possibility that Toronto will make a sixth Olympic bid has gotten louder and louder over the course of the Pan Am Games. And it's about to even more amplified, as the president of the Canadian Olympic Committee Marcel Aubut revealed that he would enthusiastically support a Toronto bid for the 2024 Games.

Aubut told the CBC that he would "absolutely lead and advocate with the whole power of my office that Toronto becomes the host city for the 2024 Games." He will, of course, need to support of the mayor, but John Tory sounds open to the idea, saying last week that there was "great discussion" around a possible bid and that the city would decide "very quickly" after the Pan Am Games.

It's not that surprising that Aubut would support a bid (he's strongly hinted at this before), but the timing of his interview is noteworthy. It's obvious that he wants to see this "great discussion" about the Olympics in Toronto only increase as the Pan Am Games wrap.

Photo by Ashley's Photos in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Today in Toronto will have you watching world records get set (potentially). In celebration of the Pan Am/Parapan Am games,wheelchair basketball pros will try their hand at setting the record for the most free-throws. If sports aren't your thing, there are plenty of shows happening: The St. Royals, Perch Creek, and more will be taking to stages around the city.

For more events, click on over to our events section.

• Wheelchair Basketball Record Attempt (Ontario's Celebration Zone)
• Elliott Brood (Ontario's Celebration Zone)
• Draw by Night (Handlebar)
• Perch Creek (Horseshoe Tavern)
• The St. Royals (Drake Underground)
• Manic Mondays (Dance Cave)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section.

Photo of Elliott Brood

The Pan Am Games went out with a blast last night, quite literally. As promised, the CN Tower once again erupted in a colourful display of pyrotechnics that dazzled onlookers across the city.

The closing ceremonies show wasn't remarkably better than the one that greeted the games, but it was still dazzling even as it didn't last so long. There are plenty of gorgeous photos of the fireworks out there, but the sequence is perhaps best captured in the video below, which follows the performance from start to finish.

Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games Fireworks from Tom Davis on Vimeo.

Photo by Chris Burke in the blogTO Flickr pool.

As July draws to a close, we're finally getting the hot, humid weather that's mostly evaded us this summer. Environment Canada expects today's high to hit 33 C. It could reach 34 C tomorrow and 35 C on Wednesday. However, the humidex could make seem even warmer outside.

Drink lots of water, seek shade (or stay inside) and try to avoid overexerting yourself outdoors. The city also recommends checking in on those who may be more vulnerable to these extreme temperatures.

Take this as your opportunity to jump in the lake at one the Toronto's beaches or visit one of Toronto's cooling centres if you're feeling overheated.

How will you keep cool during this Toronto heat wave? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Yedman in the blogTO Flickr pool.

Having debuted in recent weeks at the Front Street Foods pop-up market, this new frozen treats purveyor has opened up a permanent shop in Kensington Market. Sorbets and gelati here are made to order with naturally flavoured fruit purees and milk bases that are instantly frozen with liquid nitrogen.

Read my profile of Eative in the restaurants section.

Toronto Island is, for obvious reasons, one of the most well-loved areas in the city, especially in the summertime. However, getting from the concrete jungle to the island has been an onerous task in year's past due to the often lengthy lines for ferry boarding passes. Luckily, times are a changin'.

Today, the Island Ferry Fleet has finally joined the digital revolution and opted to sell ferry tickets online. That means you can skip middleman and print your boarding passes at home in advance. Though this has taken longer than it probably should have, you can now look forward to significantly cutting down your wait time and avoiding those pesky line ups altogether.

Photo by Grégory Thiell in the blogTO Flickr pool.

It's no longer Bonnaroo of the north. After this weekend, WayHome can stand on its own. With genre-spanning, well-known international acts such as Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Run the Jewels, alt-J and duh, Neil Young, the festival brought out a mass of 35,000 people for its inaugural year.

The event maintained a celebratory vibe, starting with the soaring flags that greeted everyone as they walked through the gates--flags that wouldn't have looked out of place in an episode of Game of Thrones or a medieval fair.

Billed as a music and arts festival, WayHome enlisted Toronto painter Charles Bierk to curate the arts portion, which featured numerous installations scattered throughout the grounds and included work by Toronto collective VSVSVS.

The four festival stages were unique and the largest one had massive screens that were visible from afar, making the wide-open main space feel truly epic. To define epic: Kendrick Lamar's Saturday night set closed with a fireworks show.

The WayAway stage was tucked amongst a canopy of tree allowing bands such as Vancouver's Dear Rouge and the Toronto-based Ascot Royals to play intimate, yet impressive sets.

Artists such as Vance Joy, July Talk and Alvvays dominated the larger WayBright stage. Although, the highlight here was a surprise show by Broken Social Scene who replaced a scheduled appearance by Passion Pit on Saturday night. (They had to cancel due to illness.)

On Sunday, many took refuge from the heat at the WayBold stage, which was housed under a massive tent. These shade-seekers were in luck thanks to energetic sets by Toronto's Brave Shores, as well as brother-sister duo Broods. On Friday and Saturday night, WayBold kept crowds partying until 2 AM with performances by Girl Talk and Bassnectar, respectively.

Canadian legend Neil Young headlined Friday night. He began his solo set by knocking out several hits, such as "Heart of Gold" and "Helpless," before his band Promise of The Real (which includes Willie Nelson's sons Lukas and Micah) joined him onstage for the rest of the three hour show.

At one point, Young stopped to snack from a bowl of cherries and threw some to his band members. "Organic Ontario cherries," he announced, before tossing a few into the crowd as well.

Many attendees opted to sleepover on the event grounds. The campsites were well-organized and equipped with water-dispensers. The layout took into account that some might not stay the full three days and upon entry, each car received bags for garbage and recyclables.

Hungry campers and festival-goers had plenty of meal options, including treats from some of Toronto's popular food trucks and restaurants including Rose and Sons, Buster's Sea Cove and Food Dudes. Fresh was onsite selling cold-pressed juice for those who wanted a healthier option and VIP pass holders could munch on food the Drake Hotel.

Despite a smooth experience for most, many Oro-Medonte residents weren't pleased with the festival. Over the weekend, some complained about excessive noise, according to the Toronto Star.

In the lead up to WayHome, as well as the upcoming country fest Boots and Hearts, local groups such as SaveOro and the West Oro Ratepayers' Association have been vocal in their fight to keep Burl's Creek event grounds from encroaching onto and rezoning environmentally protected and agricultural lands.

But, WayHome doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Its website says to "save the date'" for next year's festival, which is already scheduled for July 22, 23 and 24, 2016.

How was your WayHome experience? Let us know in the comments.

Writing by Amy Grief and Wini Lo. Photos by Jesse Milns and Hector Vasquez.