By Stephen Weir

The 2023 Toronto Caribbean Carnival is already shaping up to be a big event, with costume launches and preparations well underway. The Festival Management Committee (FMC), which oversees the carnival, has recently moved to a new location and has welcomed some new faces to its leadership team.

The FMC’S new headquarters are located at 716 Gordon Baker road, suite #201 in North York, a move that has been welcomed by many who were frustrated with the construction woes near their previous location. The FMC held an open house last week to showcase their new offices, which are more modest in size than their previous location, but no less impressive and way more convenient for the community.

At the open house, the FMC introduced their new board, including Ajax lawyer Jennifer Hirlehey, who has taken over as the new chair of the committee. Last year’s festival manager, Mischa Crichton, has been

promoted to Chief Executive Officer, while long-time parade organizer Adrian Charles has been made the festival’s General Manager.

The open house was attended by a range of people involved in the carnival, including long-time volunteers, mas band leaders, calypsonians, and steel pan players. Among those in attendance were Henry Gomez  (King Cosmos), calypso monarch Joel Davis (known as “Connector”), and musician Ozzie Gurley, all of whom were pictured alongside Jennifer Hirlehey.

With the band launches and other preparations well underway, the stage is set for another unforgettable year of music, dancing, and celebration.