The seat of Ontario's government is going to pot today.

Thousands of fans are expected to descend on Queen's Park for a "Freedom Festival" that teamed up with the 9th Annual Global Marijuana March.

One festival press release does not mention weed in the noon-9 p.m. event, another refers to marijuana lobbying, and an ad promotes the march in Now weekly, a sponsor.

Festival organizer Neev Tapiro says having activist Mark Emery, "Canada's Prince of Pot," as parade marshal "is only fitting."

The B.C. Marijuana Party founder, who lobbies for freer pot laws, is also one of several guest speakers with Gary Pieters, of the Committee to Memorialize the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

The 90-minute march starts at 2 p.m. at Queen's Park and organizers predict more than last year's 12,000 pot walk participants will be walking to Bloor and Yonge Sts., then south to College St.

TAKE TO THE STREETS

Festival sponsors include CALM (Cannabis As Living Medicine) and the Hemp Users Medical Access Network. Supporters are invited to visit www.cannabisweek.ca, which features a photo of a man waving a Canadian-style red and white flag with a marijuana leaf in the centre. The site states organizers of the Global Marijuana March of Toronto take to the streets to promote legalization "and the freedom of choice."

In one Freedom Festival press release, which fails to mention marijuana, Tapiro promises "vendors, guest speakers and Canadian musicians." Musicians include KC Roberts & The Raw Blue, Dr. Payne, Keeping 6, The Irie Band and King Sunshine.

There is no word of plans by Toronto Police, with headquarters on College, to weed out public "sploogle" puffers -- street slang for marijuana.

Elsewhere, Canada's Wonderland opens tomorrow under new ownership, promising reduced ticket prices, two new restaurants and two live shows. The first ice show in 10 years at the Paramount Theatre opens next month at the Hwy. 400 and Major Mackenzie Blvd. venue. The International Showplace will have a 1960s theme.