The festival, which takes place in Nathan Phillips Square in central Toronto on July 11 and 12, is free to attend and will feature performances from artists such as Soca music star Machel Montano from Trinidad, as well as Dwayne D' Bandit Pitt, Dr Jay de Socaprince and Cuban dance band Los Van Van.

A special Toronto 2015 countdown clock will be unveiled by official information and communications technology provider for the Games, Cisco, to mark the milestone.

"For two days, the heart of downtown Toronto - Nathan Phillips Square - will transform into what the Toronto 2015 Games is all about: an incredible celebration of sport and culture," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive of Toronto 2015.

As well as musical performances, a number of top Canadian athletes will be attending the festival, including Olympic, world and Pan American trampoline champion Rosie MacLennan, rugby union player, track cyclist and double Olympic bobsleigh champion Heather Moyse and Paralympic swimming gold medallist Benoît Huot.

Toronto Raptors star Greivis Vasquez will be one the athletes taking part in the one-year-to-go celebrations in Toronto next month ©Getty Images



They will be joined by basketball star Greivis Vasquez of the Toronto Raptors and have the opportunity to participate in sports demonstrations and mini-competitions over the two days.

"Toronto is a world-class city full of first-class people who come out and cheer on their sport teams and their city," said Vasquez, originally from Venezuela.

"I am so excited to help kick off the one year countdown to the Toronto 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games.

"It's a way for me to give back to this unbelievable city that has become a true home for me and my family and given us so much.

"I am so thankful to have this opportunity and can't wait to help celebrate with all of you."

Organisers have said that a headline act will be announced later this month to close out the festival on the Saturday night (July 12).

There will also be a number of regional events marking the one-year countdown taking place across communities surrounding Toronto, including Ajax, Burlington, Caledon, Hamilton, Markham, Milton, Mississauga and Oshawa.

The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games are due to take place from July 10 to 26 and will be followed by the Parapan American Games which take place from August 7 to 14.

For more information on events marking on year to until the Toronto 2015 Games click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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