“It’s CARNIVAL TIME!” Official launch of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival

BY PAUL JUNOR

It was refreshing to see the annual display of Caribbean visual, culinary and performing arts at the official launch of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival on Thursday, July 7^th, 2022

The return of the stimulating sights, sizzling sounds, and sparkling sensations of delights could be seen on the faces of the hundreds of spectators who celebrated the return of this festival. For many reasons, this celebratory launch marks the official start of summer.

Laverne Garcia, Executive Chair of the Festival Management Committee (FMC) spoke enthusiastically about the opening, “We’re really excited to be back and welcome everyone. It’s really for all people. While it’s the largest Caribbean cultural festival, it’s also something for everyone. It’s about equality. it’s about diversity. A lot of people don’t realize the roots of carnival is an emancipation and that’s why there’s a big celebration.”

Dignitaries, officials and politicians were in attendance at the launch, including John Tory (Mayor of Toronto), Michael Thompson (Deputy Mayor of Toronto), and Chrystia Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister). In his speech at the launch, Mayor Tory reiterates the importance of the Caribbean Carnival as a unifying force in the City of Toronto that  “Brings people together.” He adds that it shows, “How much we respect each other, how much we embrace each other, how much we need each other to make this city the place that it is.”

He tweeted @TorontosMayor, “Today we officially launched this year’s @GoTOCarnival! A big thank you to all the dedicated staff and volunteers who helped make this day and Toronto Caribbean Carnival Month a reality. I saw that hard work in action today, meeting residents and enjoying the celebrations.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland announced that the festival will be receiving $1 million in funding from the federal government’s Tourism Relief Fund. She states, “We are putting our money where our mouth is, guys.”

This is good news for the cash-strapped festival, which has had many financial challenges over the years and after a two-year absence, there is hope that the bandleaders will be equitably rewarded for their work. In past festivals, the City of Toronto was the major funder along with the federal government and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. The allotment of $600,000 by the City of Toronto to the festival this year will go towards increasing: the junior program, Kiddies for Mas as well as designing an app for the Carnival and purchasing much needed staging equipment.

At the launch, masqueraders showcase costumes from seven mas bands: Carnival Nationz, Costume Creators, Saldenah Carnival, Freedom Mas, Epic Carnival, TribalCarnival and Toronto Revelers.

Upcoming events during July include: the Junior King and Queen’s showcase that was on July 10^th, at Scarborough Town Centre, and Junior  Carnival parade, which was on July 16^th, at the Malvern Community Centre. OCPA Calypso Showcase at Latvian Cultural Centre, the King and Queen showcase on July 28^th, Pan Alive on July 29^th, at Lamport Stadium, a tribute to Mike Phillips and the Grande Parade on July 30^th, at Exhibition Place Grounds travelling along Lakeshore Road.