Thousands of musicians, dancers and elaborate costumes filled Lakeshore Boulevard on Saturday for the Grande Parade of the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
The parade is the highlight of the weeks-long festival, which is hosting a few more events this month.
“It’s about the culture,” said Autris Clarke, who grew up in Trinidad and Tobago where she celebrated carnival every year.
“It’s just a part of who I am.”
Formerly known as Caribana, the festival began in 1967, according to its website. The festival says it draws in millions of participants and spectators.
Carnival also marks emancipation — the end of slavery. Several countries in the Americas and the Caribbean islands celebrate the festival every year.
The festival is about freedom, said Elton McDuffus.
“It means everything to just come out and celebrate Caribbean culture,” he said.
Participating in the parade is known as playing mas. The festival held a junior carnival parade in Scarborough in mid-July for young masqueraders.
On Sunday, the festival is hosting Pan in D’Park, featuring performances from community steelbands in Neilson Park in Scarborough. The event is presented by the Ontario Steelpan Association.
Participants come from far and wide
There were several people who came from the U.S. to participate in Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival.
Monique Veney travelled from Baltimore, Maryland. She said she has played mas in other countries and cities before, but this is her first time doing so in the city.
Veney said it took around three hours for her to get dressed.
“This is all a piece of work,” she said.”It takes a long time but it’s so worth it.”
Diashun Melbert, who is from Louisiana, has travelled to Toronto for the festival five times.
“[I love] being around people that look like me that just want to have fun. We’re able to do what we want to do how we want to do it,” he said.
“I’ll never miss another carnival.”
Road closures
Road closures for the parade take effect on Saturday at 12 a.m. and continue until Sunday at 7 a.m., including:
- Lake Shore Boulevard W. from Fort York Boulevard to Colborne Lodge Drive.
- Lake Shore Boulevard W., westbound between Bathurst Street and Fort York Boulevard, is open to local traffic only.
- Strachan Avenue southbound from Fleet Street.
A full list of road closures is available here.
