Community News
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is not just a street party! Welcoming back Carnival 2022
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“We are so excited to welcome everyone back after two years of being away. We are thrilled to be back on the road again this year.” Laverne Garcia (Executive Chair of the Festival Management Committee)
Just imagine, jumping, chipping, and whining half naked in the streets from sun up to sun down. You see masses of people from all over the world dancing without a care in the world. Men and women drinking rum, punchin, carib’s and eating all types of Caribbean cuisines.
For those not actively involved, they sit back watching the beautiful colourful costumes covered in sequins and feathers, the huge floats, and “big trucks” with oversized speakers blasting soca, reggae, dancehall, and calypso.
What can we say; carnival is definitely an experience that is worth your while, and on Monday, June 6th, 2022 at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Launch, you could literally feel the energy and good spirits in the air! It was a good reminder that after being locked up for two years, it was definitely a time to let loose, celebrate life and experience something different with family and friends.
Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to the launch, and had a chance to be part of the excitement. The carnival team did an amazing job of creating ambiance, which brimmed with enthusiasm, positive energy, but also professionalism.
Carnival, formerly known as Caribana, is known world round as North America’s largest Caribbean carnival. This year they are celebrating their 55th anniversary, and before the dreaded pandemic, the festival drew hundreds of thousands of people from across Canada and abroad each summer to celebrate Caribbean culture.
The event is about unshackling ourselves from the vestiges of slavery,” said Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, who was one of the speakers at the media launch on Monday. “We should always remember the purpose of this celebration. It is about our freedom.”
If you are not familiar with the history of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, you may think that it is just a street party, but it is really important to our culture because it is a celebration of emancipation, and freedom.
There have been some changes to the carnival route, and the venue of events around the city. The weekend that people are most waiting for, The Toronto Carnival Festival Weekend begins on Thursday, July 28th, 2022 – Sunday, July 31st, 2022. A quick snapshot of the weekend includes:
King and Queen Showcase
Thursday, July 28th, 2022
Live performances, dances, music, and food; this event is a spectacular display of creativity and pageantry featuring over 50 elaborate large costumes centred on different themes.
OSA Pan-Alive Showcase
Friday, July 29th, 2022
Pan-Alive is back and ready to represent! Independently run by the Ontario SteelPan Association (OSA), the annual Steel Pan Showcase is going to be a night filled with live-performances, showcasing quality steel pan renditions, sounds, tone, and rhythm.
The Grand Parade Day
Saturday, July 30th, 2022
Come rediscover North America’s largest Caribbean Carnival at the all-new Grand Parade Central, hosted on the Exhibition Place Grounds. With over 10,000 masqueraders performing in this all-day event, featuring additional live performances, food, and drinks.
Sunday, July 31st, 2022
The All-New Sunday Carnival Flavours at the Stanley Barracks, Hotel X Toronto will feature food and drinks from many different Caribbean islands and their local communities in the GTA. Rediscover flavours from each of the Islands through the showcase of their favourite culinary delights, entertainment and souvenirs.
Carnival is a season that everyone should experience at least once in their lives! It’s such a freeing experience and one that all of our ancestors created for our enjoyment. Join in on the excitement by visiting https://tocarnival.ca/2022events/, and get ready to WHINE!