News Americas, New York, NY, August 5, 2024: Revellers transformed Lake Shore Boulevard into a dazzling spectacle of feathers, embellished costumes, and dancing on Saturday, August 3rd, as the city celebrated the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s Grand Parade. The parade capped off a month of festivities celebrating Caribbean culture.
Mayor Olivia Chow helped kick off the parade, dancing with revellers Saturday morning in a vibrant purple and pink feathered costume. “Every part of my body is moving,” said Chow from the parade sidelines.
Toronto’s 57th annual Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade drew crowds to Lake Shore Boulevard, including Mayor Olivia Chow. The parade marks the climax of a month-long celebration of Caribbean culture and emancipation, the end of slavery.
Toronto boasts the largest carnival in North America, with organizers expecting nearly a million attendees this year. Carnival is a significant cultural event celebrated across several countries in the Americas and the Caribbean.
Amber Wilson, a seasoned participant, described playing mas in the parade as “pure happiness.” She explained that participants choose a musical band to join, which then designs their elaborate costumes. “Putting them on is a very skilled and time-consuming process,” Wilson told the Toronto Star. This year, she paraded with Saldenah Carnival, one of Toronto’s longest-standing and most successful bands.
Karissa Singh, another Saldenah participant, told the Toronto Star she started getting ready at 5:30 a.m. “But it feels like it’s all worth it to come here on the stage and party with everybody we love,” she said.
Faith Hilliman-Foster emphasized the cultural significance of playing mas. “It’s a chance to take part in my culture and express it through my city,” she told the Toronto Star. Kadiaja McCalla, parading alongside Hilliman-Foster, highlighted the inclusive nature of the carnival. “Regardless of body type, everyone is encouraged to participate,” she said. “In our culture, we celebrate you anywhere.”
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also attended the Grand Parade. Though not in costume, Singh, who has been attending the festival since he was 19, praised the event. “This is one of the premier events for the City of Toronto,” he told the Toronto Star. “The vibes, the energy, the people.”
The carnival’s history dates back to 1967, when founding member Maurice Bygrave and his group organized what they thought would be a one-off event. Its success led then-Mayor William Dennison to request it become an annual festival.
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival continues to be a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and community spirit, bringing the Caribbean experience to the heart of Toronto.
