The wings, jewels and smiles were back at the 58th annual É«É«À² Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade as revellers from around the world descended on the Exhibition Grounds Saturday for one of North America’s biggest festivals.Ìý
Thousands of parade fans and performers fill Lake Shore Boulevard West on Saturday.
R.J. Johnston/É«É«À² StarFamilies, as well asÌýmany food and drink vendors, lined the barricades along Lake Shore Boulevard West as paradegoersÌýdanced, twirled and bopped to the infectious soca, dance hall and calypso beats pulsating from trucks stacked high with speakers.
A parade fan snaps a selfie with dancers in brilliant costumes at the É«É«À² Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade at Exhibition Place.
R.J. Johnston/É«É«À² StarDespite the city experiencing stretches of extreme heatÌýover the last few weeks, temperatures were relatively mild, hovering in the mid-20s C range. Players from mas bands kept cool under the trees in the staging area, helping each other straighten their crowns, apply last-minute body glitter and add personalized touches to their costumes in the form of little flags from Caribbean nations like Jamaica, Guyana andÌýTrinidad and Tobago.
A dancer adorned with vibrant feathers amongst the crowd at Saturday’s 58th annual parade.
R.J. Johnston/É«É«À² StarStill, the words “stay hydrated” became the unofficial sign-off among players that morning just as they dashed off to join their bands as the parade kicked off at 10 a.m.Ìý
In addition to mas players from the É«É«À² area and surrounding cities, a few Americans also made the trip up north to join friends and family along the parade route.
Taniki Richard, centre, came from Virginia to celebrate her birthday at the parade with her friends Tanya Saunders, left, and Megan Fondren.
Karon Liu/É«É«À² StarTaniki Richard flew in from Virginia with herÌýfriends and former United States ArmyÌýcomradesÌýMegan Fondren and Tanya Saunders to celebrate her birthday.
“We’re here to celebrate life, freedom, unity and beauty,” said Richards, adorned in head-to-toe orange, green, purple and blue jewels and framed by a pair of giant feathered wings. “We’re with the renowned band and we’re here to bring all the big energy.”
Also representing the Saldenah band wereÌýfriends Millenia Carino from Hamilton, Nicole Latchminarine from É«É«À² and Veronica Sewnarine from New York City.
From left, Millenia Carino from Hamilton, Veronica Sewnarine from New York City and Nicole Latchminarine from É«É«À² get set to start dancing along the parade route.
Karon Liu/É«É«À² Star“I came last year but this is my first year marching in the parade,” said Sewnarine, wearing an iridescent headpiece and matching wings. “It’s about celebrating my culture and having a good time with everyone. I feel safe here, the vibe is a lot more mellow and everyone just brings good energy.”
For sisters Shy and Mar Ebuenga-Smith’s fourth trip to theÌýCarnival, they convinced their friends Josh Cadet and Megan Carreiro to come from New Jersey to join the band. “The people, the community, you’re always going to have a good time,” said Mar. “Everyone is welcome here as long as they bring good vibes.”
From left, Mar Ebuenga-Smith, Megan Carreiro, Josh Cadet and Shy Ebuenga-Smith pose for a photo right before they join their mas band at the É«É«À² Caribbean Carnival.
Karon Liu/É«É«À² StarCostumes in hues of bubble-gum pinks, electric oranges, canary yellows, lime greens and royal purples bopped along Lake Shore Boulevard and giant floats depicting marine life, a bright pink peacock and a giant skeleton wowed the crowds. This year, 10 Carnival bands competed on the stage to show off their costumes, dance moves and showmanship in front of a panel of judges in hopes of winning the coveted title of band of the year. The costumes have meaning beyond their beauty and often intertwine Caribbean history and culture to represent rebellion, unity and strength.Ìý
Jaida Ponciano, from Tribal Carnival band, showcases a stunning costume at the parade held along Lake Shore Boulevard West on Saturday.Ìý
R.J. Johnston/É«É«À² StarAlthough the Grand Parade is the most well-known part of Carnival season, the city has been celebrating Caribbean culture over the past month with events like music showcases, a Junior Carnival Parade and the 12th annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride on the TTC. Carnival itself dates back to Trinidad and Tobago to mark the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834 and the continued fight against oppression.
The first Carnival in É«É«À² began in 1967, when it was known as Caribana, and over the years it has grown into the city’s biggest yearly celebration, bringing in an estimated $500 million to the province and two million visitors to the city. Last December it was announced that Carnival organizers received $3.5 million from the federal government over the next two years to ensure the festival’s future after organizers said it was struggling with funding.Ìý
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