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Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto Grand Parade

Scotiabank Caribana Parade 2012
Scotiabank Caribana Parade 2012

The Caribana parties and events are great but the main attraction of Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival is the Grand Parade (North America’s largest Caribbean Parade). With over a million people set to attend, this year’s Caribbean Carnival Parade will start off inside Exhibition Place as the competing Masquerade Bands (also known as Mas Bands) will fill the stadium with live Soca, Calypso and Steeplan music! The elaborate costumes, props and lively dancers bring everything to life and add to this incredible experience that happens only once a year.

You can of course catch the Parade free of charge by lining up along the Lakeshore Parade route. However, if you want a comfortable seat within Exhibition Place (200 Princes’ Blvd.) where you can catch the whole performance up close, tickets are affordable ($20 before tax) and considering the parade’s length (approx 4-6 hours), it is definitely worth it.

The Caribbean calypso beat has been a staple at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade since the festival’s debut in 1967. Soca is newer to the scene, popping up about 15 years ago. For those not familiar with this sexier cousin of Calypso, its sound is faster and lyrically can be sexually charged or just plain comedic, depending on the song. Steelpans will be all over the parade route and Toronto’s Caribana attracts some of North America’s most skilful players.

The most important and biggest event of the the Caribana weekend is the Caribbean Carnival Parade and it kicks off August 3rd, 2013 starting at 10am and ends at 6pm (just enough time to get ready for one of Saturday’s many Caribana nightlife celebrations). The Parade route begins at Exhibition Place, travelling down Lakeshore Blvd West and ends at Lakeshore and Parkside Drive (approximately 4.5 kilometres).

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Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade 2011

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Reveller
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Reveller

I’m not sure the 44th Annual Formally, Caribana Parade, now renamed the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival 2011, was something to brag about this year. Although it had its usual hype and vitality the stress of getting there and obtaining a proper view of the festivities was more than difficult. If you didn’t arrive early then be prepared to have to park and walk a significant distance away from the parade. Subway and the street car was the best option although at one location a street car did get into an accident and access to another one was nearly impossible so taxi cabs were the way to go.

There were some unnecessary block offs along the parade which resolved in long walks around, I must have walked for about 45 minutes before I finally arrived at a decent spot with a decent view. Another disappointment was the disorganization from some floats. Some mass players waited a long time before they finally got their costumes, and were not even informed on how to assemble it. But the biggest disappoint this year was the news of the shooting that occurred after the parade. It’s a shame to have such a tragic incident happen at such a joyous event that is supposed to represent unity and celebration among the West Indian Culture.

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Revellers
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Revellers

They came from East and West, they came from North and South, They Came from Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia – De Entire Caribbean, North America, South America, Europe, Asia. I Believe Destra Garcia said it best, “It’s All about Unity, Togetherness, Carnival time we love de jamin’ all o we, collectively, in de bacchanal time to start de fete”.

The costumes this year were just as crazy as ever, it was great to see people pushing their creativity and creating something different and new. The girls did not disappoint either with less than barely there outfits, I don’t think at any other part of the year you see as much skin as you do at Caribana and there is no complaining on that. I can say the best part of the parade this year was …. The alcohol, a nice cold beer on this day was a great compensation. As for the food there were too many hot dog stands and not enough “food” stands available all along the parade.

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Guyanese, Grenadian, St. Lucian
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade: Guyanese, Grenadian, St. Lucian

Although barricades go up every year people still find a way to jump the fence, or break it open, which causes the crazy stampede of people, so if you’re going there to relax, go early find a spot under the shade and enjoy as the parade passes by. If you plan on participating and playing Mass I suggest you do your research and find a float that knows what they’re doing and that you’re comfortable with. I’m sure next year will have the same and plus some more disappointments but at the end of the day we all look forward to meeting up with friends, family and for a great show and Caribana will never disappoint on that.

By – Luanna Pedro