Toronto Caribbean Carnival launches with promise of 'a great experience' for attendees
CBC
The 56th edition of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival officially launched at Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday with organizers promising a "showcase of freedom and pageantry."
Festival Management Committee CEO Mischka Crichton said organizers "are thrilled" to be launching this year's Carnival festivities.
"What's most important to us is that everyone feels accepted and included, which is reflected in this year's theme: Diversity and Culture Live Here!" Crichton said.
The month-long festival features a packed schedule of events, including the grand parade on Aug. 5 along Lake Shore Boulevard. Other events include:
Jennifer Hirlehey, chair of Toronto Caribbean Carnival, said there's a need for "real action and financial support" to the festival.
"I say to the leaders of the city, province and federal governments, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival is not an institution that relies on government funding without giving anything in return," Hirlehey said at the launch.
Hirlehey said the festival contributed approximately half a billion dollars to Ontario last year. On top of that, she said, 45 per cent of the 167 million people who attended the carnival last year were not from Toronto, which shows it brings in significant tourism dollars.
"It is simple math," she said.
In February the City of Toronto announced nearly $2 million in funding for 44 local cultural festivals. It said long-standing, major annual events were eligible for multi-year funding and annual grants up to a maximum of $650,000 each. Last July the federal government announced an investment of $1 million for the operators of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
As North America's biggest street festival, Toronto Caribbean Carnival attracts close to two million people to the grand parade alone.
"This showcase of freedom and pageantry is a testament to the open arms of the organizers who invite everyone to play mas, watch the events, or support the event," a news release from the organizers said.
Toronto Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and mayor-elect Olivia Chow both spoke at the launch.
McKelvie said the carnival is a "spectacular showcase" of Caribbean culture, music, dance and vibrant costumes.
Chow said the Toronto Caribbean Carnival has always been her "summer highlight."
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