By Stephen Weir Photos By Anthony Berot

Carnivals around the world, in their full glory, have not been held since the early days of the pandemic. Two summers, but now at least in Toronto plans are afoot for a triumphant return to the streets of Toronto.

The world famous Toronto Caribbean Carnival has a story. And after a long hiatus, the colour and pageantry of Canada’s Carnival took its first official steps on Monday. The Festival Management Committee (organizers of the Festival) called in the media and gave them a briefing on what is going to happen in the streets of Toronto from now until the July 30^th Big Parade.

It was fitting that the 2022 Toronto Caribbean Media Launch was held inside the Posh Hotel X in the grounds of Exhibition, right beside the route of this year’s parades. Their new ground level Banquet Hall was designed to hold big name events. Floor to Ceiling windows to let in natural light for the media’s wall of cameras.  An acoustic design that provides pitch perfect sound of both voices and music for recording device.  And eating zones lined with Caribbean dishes and drinks supplied by the festival’s food and drink sponsors Grace Foods and Caribe Beer.

The two-hour media briefing was all about how the Carnival, after its long time underwater is resurfacing with its classic events like the King and Queen Pageant, the Grand Parade, Calypso and Pan concerts.  These crowd pleasers are being updated and improved. As well new programming, locations and new partners (ie The Scarborough Town Centre) is being added to the Carnival list.

Two big media names, CTV Toronto’s Nathan Downer and Jessica Smith, acted as the press conference Master of Ceremonies on Monday. CTV and CP24 are the 2022 media partners, along with FLOW radio, CHUM FM, Twitter and Trinidad’s internet-based WACK radio.

Laverne Garcia, the head of the Carnival, took to the stage to tell the 100 or so journalists, photographers, and TV camera crews just what is going to happen. During the event, beautiful, costumed male and female Mas models wandered around the room posing for the media while live Caribbean music were performed. Tribal Carnival’s manager and models Celena Seusahai and Cleon Wong (they are the Face of the 2022 Festival) were in constant demand showing the cameras what they will be wearing while taking part in the Grand Parade along Toronto’s Lakeshore Blvd this July 30th.

It’s the same 5 km parade as always but Ms Garcia stressed that there are changes in the way the mas bands are judged and how it will run with a view to reducing the delays that have plagued the parade for years. “Judging will no longer take place at the end of the parade. It will now take place first before the Mas Bands depart for the parade route on Princes Blvd “she told the media. “The bands will head through the Ex-grounds and then down onto the Lakeshore.”

In years gone by the judging stands and VIP seating lined the road across from the BMO stadium.  This year Parade Central is at Hotel X and will feature stages, VIP treatment and an Artisan Market Place and food vendors. This enhanced service will come at a cost; the prices have not been released as of yet. There is also an admission fee ($30 and up) to enter the Exhibition Grounds.

People can watch the parade along the Lakeshore for free but visitors should note that they won’t be allowed to walk through the Ex Grounds to reach the Free Zone along the southside of Lakeshore. It will be a long walk for seniors, families and the disabled to get from the TTC streetcar loop and the Metrolinx stations to see the parade for free.  Good news, there will be food and washrooms provided.

There is also a Family Zone planned for inside the Exhibition Grounds near the Dufferin Gates northeast of the parade route. The Festival Management Committee has not said if there is a charge to get into the Family Zone but a section of it will have a free kiddies play area. It is unclear if people will be able to clearly see the parade.

The plans for many of the Carnival are a work in progress but are well ahead of schedule in terms of what took place in previous festivals.

EVENTS

Official festival launch: Thursday – July 7 Location: Nathan Phillips Square Time: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm.

Junior Carnival Parade (new location and date): Saturday – July 16 Location: Malvern Community Centre Time: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm. Admission is free.

New event: Kiddies for Mas: Sunday – July 10, Location: Scarborough Town Centre Time: 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Calypso Showcase: Sunday July 24  5; pm to midnight. Location and prices  to be announced.

King & Queen Showcase: Thurday July28 at Lamport Stadium

This evening event features over 50 elaborate large costumes centred on different themes. It has other live performances, dances, music, and food.

Pan Alive Showcase: Lamport Stadium Friday July29

The Ontario Steel Pan Association’s annual Steel Pan Showcase is going to be a night filled with live performances, by member steel drum bands. More information is expected to be released soon.

Carnival Flavours: Hotel X Sunday July 31

New Event: The Sunday Carnival Flavours will be held at the Stanley Barracks at Hotel X. It will feature food and drinks from many different Caribbean islands. This is a ticketed event.

Emancipation Day August 1: Event description and location to be announced.

Awards Gala September 17: New Event: Black-tie Gala celebrating Caribbean Carnival Arts.  Location to be announced.

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