Recreation Activities and Events     A glance through Ontario Living Magazine, the City of Ontario's seasonal publication for residents, provides an amazing perspective of the abundance of recreational activities, programs, classes and events offered throughout Ontario by the City's Recreation and Community Services departments.

Classes range from arts and crafts, dance and exercise, to special interest and sports and aquatics classes for all ages. With activities geared for tots and tiny tots, Ontario's sports programs also span youth to adults with great softball, basketball, volleyball and soccer action plus the opportunity to perfect your short game on a nine-hole pitch-n-putt golf course with professionally maintained greens, fairways and bunkers. The City sponsors a variety of special events and opportunities throughout the year. Holiday-themed events are held at neighborhood community centers throughout Ontario including Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The annual Cinco de Mayo Festival features many fun things to do and see --- from pony rides to folkloric dancers and live entertainment spanning mariachi music to Latin pop. Ontario's annual Star-Spangled Fourth of July Celebration is a gloriously full day of events and activities beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting well past dark. Mimes, jugglers, clowns and stilt walkers provide pre-parade entertainment before the Independence Day Parade with its patriotic floats, bands, equestrian units, novelty groups and performers. A Downtown Arts and Crafts Fair is part of the day's festivities as is the Blast at the Community Bandstand, a live concert provided by the City of Ontario-sponsored Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band. Mid-day brings the annual All-States Picnic with tables designated for all 50 U.S. States, Mexico and Canada set down the center parkway of Downtown's grand, double-wide boulevard, Euclid Avenue. The fun continues with family festivities, rides and games in the afternoon at Westwind Park and then a wonderful, patriotic fireworks display choreographed to music to culminate the holiday. Not to be missed is the annual Halloween Costume Parade and Contest at Ontario City Hall. The young contestants parade throughout the outside courtyard in a variety of costumes: from frightening and creepy to most unique as well as brightly colored and in portrayals of celebrities and fictional characters. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year including Ontario's annual Arbor Day / California Make A Difference Day which furthers the City's designation as a Tree City USA®. The most tremendous outpouring of community interest and support, however, is for the City of Ontario's float in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. With hundreds of volunteers teaming their efforts from December 26th through New Year's Eve to help decorate Ontario's float, the City's participation in the event is an extraordinary source of pride for Ontario's residents.