By Stephen Weir

New venue. New vibe. New Super Cool costumes. The Junior King and Queen Showcase was held outdoors last Sunday afternoon at the Malvern Town Centre in Scarborough.  The event attracted an estimated 2,000 people; many stayed all afternoon to see the new big costumes that will be worn in this Saturday’s Children’s Parade.

Over 30 children from the competing mas band camps took turns showing their stuff and their beautiful large costumes.  By the end of the event, two children emerged as winners.

Despite this being the first time the Showcase has been held in Malvern (last year it was at the Woodbine Mall) the event was professionally run with few hiccups during the ten-hour fair and show.  The mall’s parking lot was turned into a mini-festival complete with food vendors, bleacher seating and a large stage. SKF (Sheldon F) was the ring master MC,  singer Jaxx performed and danced with the kids at the end of the show, and VIPs including MPP Raymond Chow showed up to cheer the children on.

Since the Carnival season started, this is now the third fete in a row that has been very successful both in terms of audience size and the quality of the presentations. The Carnival launch at City Hall earlier this month was the best in years and a press preview for the upcoming Junior Parade attracted media coverage from across the city!

Next for the Festival and the kids is this Junior Carnival & Family Day which will be held back in Malvern on McLevin and Neilson Road across the street from the Malvern Town Centre.  More than 2000 young costumed participants will take part in the parade.

It all starts at 10:30 am with an official opening ceremony at the McLevin Road Entry to the Malvern Community Centre. The parade will then travel west on McLevin Road, north on Neilson Road to Neilson Park where families are welcome to enjoy a carnival showcase, kids crafts and games, food, live entertainment and the always popular Junior Chef competition.

The event is free and all are welcome to join at the parade starting point, along the parade route or at Neilson Park. Look for our Caribbean Camera photographer at this big family event!

Official Results Jr. Carnival King and Queen

JUNIOR FEMALE INDIVIDUAL – UNDER 10

PLACEMENT   NAME OF CONTESTANT            PORTRAYAL            ORGANIZATION

1^ST         SANAA JOSEPH-BRERETON              THE LITTLE DEVIL         SUNLIME CANADA

2^ND       KHADIJAH SMITH                               MUSIC IS LIFE              COSTUME CREATORS

3^RD       SAVANNAH WRIGHT                  PRINCESS OF THE SEA       TORONTO REVELLERS

JUNIOR MALE INDIVIDUAL – UNDER 10

1^ST      MARQUEE ST. LOUIS              THE LOST PIRATE                   TORONTO REVELLERS

2^ND    JOANAN DUNCAN                    LOOK DE MAS COMING        CARNIVAL NATIONZ

3^RD    NYZE JOHN                                  VENOMOUS BAT                  VENOM CARNIVAL

JUNIOR FEMALE INDIVIDUAL – UNDER 16

PLACEMENT     CONTESTANT                  PORTRAYAL                   ORGANIZATION

1^ST        JADA WHITE          HEAT WAVE IN THE CITY                          SUNLIME CANADA

2^ND      LEILA  ADORE LINO          THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX            FANTAZIA CARNIVAL

3^RD      CHIONE REDHEAD             MONARCH BUTTERFLY                  VENON CARNIVAL

JUNIOR MALE INDIVIDUAL – UNDER 16

PLACEMENT                   CONTESTANT              PORTRAYAL                           ORGANIZATION

1^ST      AMARI BOWEN-OTCHERE                   LORD VOLDEMORT                    TRIBAL CARNIVAL

2^ND   MARQUEE ST. LOUIS                           THE LOST PIRATE                         TORONTO REVELLERS

3^RD  JOANAN – CAGE -DUNCAN                  LOOK DE MAS COMING             CARNIVAL NATIONZ

JUNIOR QUEEN

PLACEMENT               CONTESTANT             PORTRAYAL                               ORGANIZATION

1^ST               SADIE MURPHY                 BURROKEET COME TO TOWN             CARNIVAL NATIONZ

2^ND           KAYLINDA MUPESSE            LOVE & EMOTION                      LOUIS SALDENAH MAS-K CLUB

3^RD       MAKEDA JOSEPH-BRERETON         CAROUSEL OF LOVE                   SUNLIME CANADA

JUNIOR KING

PLACEMENT               CONTESTANT             PORTRAYAL                             ORGANIZATION

1^ST       JALIL VINCENT RAMPERSAD           THE JESTER GRIN                           E.P.I.C. CARNIVAL

2^ND       SKYLLER GEORGE         MIDNIGHT ROBBER (THE FIRE PIRATE)       TORONTO REVELLERS

3^RD       ELIAS DASQUE          HEARTBEAT OF THE ITSY-BITSY SPIDER       LOUIS SALDENAH MAS-K CLUB