Torontonians have been enjoying long weekends for over 150 years, which is sometimes easy to forget as we struggle to join the exodus to cottage country when these short holidays come around.

But, looking back, it's fascinating to recall the recreation activities of the past. These candid photos cast our forebears in a different light than you'll find in most historical photos.

Instead of the staged, often rather serious portraits found in the city archives, these images show the people of the 1910s, 20s, 30s, and 40s at play: goofing for the camera, fishing, enjoying games, and generally relaxing.

In honour of the Canada Day long weekend, here's a look at how Toronto used to take time off work.

Boy with fishing catch, 1934.

Miss Marjorie Laing at lunch. June 1, 1930.

Families relaxing at Crowes Beach on the Humber, circa 1926.

An elderly couple dancing in 1934.

Obligatory picture of the dog ("Tinker") wearing a hat, 1930.

Tinker the dog jumping for sausages, 1930.

Boyd family picnic at Islington, 1926.

Unknown group on a fishing boat. Exact date unknown.

Girl fishes from a bowl to promote the sale of Ontario fishing permits, 1930s.

Kids paddling at Hanlan's Point in 1907, Hanlan's Hotel and regatta in the background.

Roadside picnic in High Park. July 1, 1942.

Bathers in the lake at Sunnyside near the Humber River in 1912.

The Sunnyside swimming pool, nicknamed The Tank and reportedly the largest in the world when it opened, in the 1940s.

Clowns handing out prizes to all the participants in the Tiny Tots race at the annual TTC staff picnic in 1928.

Nail hammering competition (of all things) at the 1928 TTC picnic.

Clowns Sam Hill and Sam Cohen stage a pillow fight for the children of TTC staff.

Kids line up for a race. Hamburgers and frankfurters for sale in the background.

Italian women during a tug-of-war. August 1, 1932.

On Wasaga Beach. July 4, 1926.

Photographer Nat Turofsky (far right) and his family on a fishing trip to the French River region.

Woman and fish smiling in the 1940s.

Margaret Reycraft of the Globe and Mail at lunch, 1930.

Women fishing off a jetty, 1908.