Live music, fireworks and sports activities will take place, as well as a two-day festival in the heart of downtown Toronto from tomorrow until Saturday (July 12) and the unveiling of the Cisco Toronto 2015 Countdown Clock in the Nathan Phillips Square, which will feature a performance from Cirque du Soleil, creative partner for the Pan Am Games Opening Ceremony.

More than 30 top athletes - including Olympic cycling medallist and Canada's Toronto 2015 Chef de Mission Curt Harnett, Paralympic champion swimmer Benoît Huot, triathlon Olympic gold medallist Simon Whitfield, former world champion boxer Mary Spencer and basketball player Greivis Vásquez - are also due take part in the festivities.

Musical acts celebrating the countdown to Toronto 2015 include Burlington rock band Walk off the Earth, Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano and Cuban salsa giants Los Van Van, with the shows acting as a preview for the culture festival for next summer's Games, PANAMANIA.

Sydney 2000 Olympic triathlon gold medallist Simon Whitfield is among the sports stars joining in with the one year to go countdown celebrations ©Getty Images


Meanwhile, One Year to Go celebrations will take place in 10 municipalities outside Toronto, including in Mississauga, Burlington, Ajax, Caledon, Hamilton, Markham, Milton, Oshawa and Welland.

St Catharines, which will host rowing at Toronto 2015, will also mark the countdown by lighting Niagara Falls in the colours of the Pan Am Games tomorrow and on Saturday.

"In just one year from today, Toronto and Ontario will host the biggest international multi-sport event ever held in Canada," Saäd Rafi, Toronto 2015's chief executive, said.

"It's a massive undertaking, unlike anything we've ever done before, and our communities are ramping up their preparations and excitement with a host of fun and family-friendly festivities that will give everyone a chance to experience right now what the Games will bring to our region next summer.

"I invite everyone to come out and help celebrate."

The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games are due to take place from July 10 to 26, while the Parapan American Games are scheduled for August 7 to 15.

A full schedule of events is available here.

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