Summer Toronto 1980s Videos

Summer fun in Toronto, 1980s style

With temperatures hovering around 30C, there's no doubting that Toronto has entered the heart of summer. And, given that the forecast offers no reprieve as far as the hot and sticky weather goes, here's another sort of escape. It won't cool anyone down, but these summery ads that aired back in the 1980s should be good for a smile or two.

Whether it be commercials for destinations like Canada's Wonderland and Ontario Place or an excruciating celebration of Toronto courtesy of Sprite, these are the type of nostalgic gems for which the Retrontario YouTube channel has become the go-to source. Stocked with almost 2000 vintage clips from the 1970s to the 1990s, it's the best locally oriented archive for this awesome but often painfully awkward material.

Let's head back to a time when CFTR played top 40, Art Eggleton was mayor, and people thought it wasn't dorky to drink coolers.

Canada's Wonderland 1986:

Palace Place 1988:

Sprite Loves Toronto 1989:

Citytv Summer Full of Music 1986:

Citytv Everywhere 1985 at Cherry Beach (short clip):

Diet Pepsi 1983:

Ontario Place 1983:

Canada Cooler 1988:

Catch the Wave — New Coke 1986:


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