Canada

The Grand Parade of the Caribbean Carnival returns to Toronto

The sights and sounds of the Caribbean will take over Exhibition Place today as the grand Caribbean Carnival parade returns to Toronto.

“We’re just excited to get back ‘on the road,'” Toronto Caribbean board chair Laverne Garcia told CP24.com.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the 55th anniversary of the parade promises to be one of the biggest ever with more than 10,000 masqueraders expected to take part.

For those who’ve never been to the parade, CP24.com has the answers you need about when and where the parade is, what it’s all about, and what it means to “play mas.”

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE PARADE?

The Caribbean Carnival dates back to the late 18th century in Trinidad and Tobago as a celebration marking the end of slavery and freedom for plantation workers of African descent.

People took to the streets to celebrate their new freedom, imitating what they saw at masquerade balls and Lenten parties thrown by their former masters.

“So while they had those balls, it ultimately led to the uprising and the freedom and the emancipation. But they will gather in the streets and have their own parallel celebrations, but in the streets,” Garcia said.

Fast forward to 1967 and Toronto hosted its first major parade, which would become one of the largest outdoor festivals in North America.

The parade is held annually over the August long weekend, which is also recognized as Canada’s Emancipation Day weekend.

The parade was gifted to Canada by the Caribbean community during the country’s centennial celebrations.

Garcia says it’s an amazing feeling to celebrate Carnival in person again.

“After two and a half years of isolation and people being forced to separate and not be in the community, it’s amazing to see people come out again and be so excited to participate in the carnival,” Garcia said.

“It’s interesting to me how Toronto as a whole has really embraced Carnival. And for many people, that’s just part of what summer means to them in Toronto,” she added.

WHO IS IN THE PARADE?

To march in the parade, which stretches along Lake Shore Boulevard West, revelers must join a participating masquerade group.

“These groups apply to us, get approved and then get seed funding from us. And then they go ahead and start their mass camp where they usually get a commercial property for the summer … and they make their costumes there,” Garcia said.

Groups usually start preparing for the carnival a year in advance.

“I mean, they’re like little families because people spend countless hours in there creating costumes, preparing for all the festivities that will come,” Garcia said.

Each group has several sections and each section has its own topic that is related to the overall topic of the group.

Band members represent their theme through their costumes and floats.

When it’s time to participate in the parade, it’s also known as “playing the mass.”

“When you play mas, the average reveler goes down the street, plays, jumps, dances to the music and just has fun,” Garcia said.

WHAT DO THE COSTUMES REPRESENT?

Many spectators go to the parade to see the beautiful array of costumes and floats.

When the parade first began in Trinidad and Tobago, the masquerades wore costumes that made a political statement.

“There are certain characters that were portrayed and they were sort of caricatures or you know, political satire on the social environment and the social political environment at the time,” Garcia said.

“As carnival has evolved and over time, it’s kind of become more about the freedom of the individual and not being held back by the constraints of society… I think that’s part of the reason why there are a lot of costumes that are really open and there’s a huge push to embrace yourself and your body and freedom and liberation,” she added.

Each group puts hours and hours of work into designing and making costumes for the big parade.

Tribal Carnival is the third largest group in Toronto and has over 100 masquerades.

Executive director Celena Seusahai says the band’s theme this year is the Kingdom, and all sections of the band will have costumes that reflect that.

“My section this year is called Emerald City … you’re going to see green and blue,” she told CP24.com.

Seusahai says the group uses only Toronto-based designers and that they begin production of their costumes in May.

“It takes a lot of work and we put in a lot of research, hours to make sure the subject we’re portraying comes out right. I would say the design process starts in December. As soon as one carnival is over, we start planning the next.”

Seusahai says the cost of the suits can range between $350 and $1,600.

WHAT CAN PARADE ATTENDERS EXPECT?

If it’s your first time attending the parade, prepare to “jump” and dance all day.

Bands will make their way through the exhibition grounds with masquerades, dancing to soca, dancehall and more while waving flags that represent their native lands or heritage.

Spectators are also encouraged to dance and carry their own flags in the parade.

“Whatever, just imagine where you’re from. And that’s part of it, too, because a lot of it has to do with positivity, too,” Garcia said.

“Fifty-five years ago we didn’t have the same attitude towards multiculturalism and celebrating where we’re from and our culture.”

There is also a competitive component to the parade. Groups will compete for the title group of the year.

“So you’ve got your costume on, you’re playing the table, you’re dancing down the street and then you have to walk across the stage and show off all your hard work. And the judges will judge based on creativity, impact and different things, different categories. And then a group will be crowned group of the year,” Garcia said.

The winner will get to choose when they walk across the stage in next year’s grand parade.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE PARADE?

The opening ceremonies are set to begin at 9:30am at the grounds of Exhibition Place and Hotel X, and the parade is expected to begin at 10am and continue until 6pm

This year’s parade has a different route compared to previous years.

There will be two starting points – some groups will go first along the parade route, while others will go through the main stage to be judged first.

The masquerades will walk along Lake Shore Boulevard West through the grounds of Exhibition Place.

“Everything is blocked. In fact, only the masquerades are in the parade. Every year people try to get into the parade just to be a part of it. But you really have to join a mass band to participate in the parade itself,” Garcia said.

Attendees can watch the parade from Lake Shore Boulevard or pay an admission fee to the fairgrounds to watch it from there.

There will be many vendors along the lakefront selling food and drinks throughout the day.

Garcia encourages attendees to wear comfortable shoes and prepare to relax and celebrate.

“Comfortable shoes and plenty of water are a must. And, I guess, freedom of spirit and a desire to have a lot of fun.