The time for what is arguably the biggest annual party in Toronto has come. It’s Caribana weekend, and for millions, that means that a trip to Lakeshore Boulevard for Saturday’s parade is in store. The yearly Caribana festival, which celebrates Caribbean culture, music, food and fashion, officially took flight in mid-July.
Tomorrow’s big parade, however, is the main event which sees nearly two million revelers gather on the downtown parade route. The parade is an incredible display of glamorous and elaborate costumes that different bands have been constructing since as early as April.
Last night, at Toronto’s Lamport Stadium, the annual King & Queen Show was held to award prizes to the best costumes. Crowning a Caribana king and queen has been a tradition since Caribana first kicked off 43 years ago. Last night’s affair was a presentation of some of the most unique creations in the festival’s history.
According to Caribana.com, the yearly event is the largest Caribbean festival in North America. The parade attracts so many people to the City of Toronto, it is known as the one of the city’s biggest boosters of the local economy each year. As the website describes it, the parade features “thousands of brilliantly costumed masqueraders and dozens of trucks carrying live soca, calypso, steel pan, reggae and salsa artists”.
It also explains the festival’s history: “Caribana was created in 1967 as a community heritage project for Canada’s Centennial year. Based on Trinidad Carnival, the Festival now also includes the music, dance, food and costumes of Jamaica, Guyana, the Bahamas, Brazil and other cultures represented in Toronto – the world’s most culturally diverse city.”
A number of Synergy team members are excited about this weekend’s festivities for a variety of reasons. “It’s easily the best party of the year,” said one eager associate, “There’s nothing like it. The streets are so lively, there are people everywhere, everyone is dancing and having a good time. The sights and sounds are unbelievable.”
“I can’t wait,” said a fellow staff member, “so many of my friends play mas (short for masqueraders) and I am joining them for the first time this year. It’s a long day, but it’s so much fun. It’s an exciting time for everyone. To me, Caribana is the highlight of summer in Toronto.”
If you’ve never taken in the Caribana parade, perhaps this is your year to start. If you’re in the Toronto area, Lakeshore Boulevard will host the annual parade between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., although the partying in the streets is known to carry on for much longer. Have fun and enjoy your Caribana long weekend!
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