In the heat of the city, Toronto is once again jam-packed with spectators, enjoying loud music, colourful masquerade display and luscious cuisines as the biggest cultural festival in North America kicks-off.

At the on- set of  (CARIBANA) on July 10 at Nathan Philips Square, spectators were given a glimpse of what is in store for this years’ two-week event as they celebrate their 40th colourful and cheerful years.

The birth of Caribana in 1967 was a performance gift from Canada’s West Indian community as a tribute to Canada’s centennial year. From that time on, this Caribbean style-event has become a major international event and the largest one-of-a-kind cultural festival in Canada. This years’ roster of activities includes, The Junior Carnival on Saturday, July 21 at the Yorkgate Mall where young masqueraders will be marching off on their brilliantly made costumes, De Caribana Lime on Sunday July 22 at the Albert Campbell Square, featuring various cultures of the Caribbean people. There will be food competition, theatrical drama and even story telling.

Dance to the beat of the Caribbean sounds like calypso, soca, reggae, hip-hop, chutney, steel pan and brass bands. This is a musical panorama that is certain to bring a pleasant smile to the ancestral titans of pan and calypso music.

While Caribana run for two-weeks, it’s climax being the final week is punctuated by the street parade of bands. For Caribana participants and performers, the band is the most important part of the carnival parade since this is actually a competition. Each band playing on the long flat-bed of trucks must pass a judging spot. Judging criteria or scoring is based on costume design, creativity, presentations and so on. This years’ parade starts at Exhibition Place along Lakeshore Boulevard.

• Part 1 – 98 photos »
• Part 2 – 100 photos »
• Part 3 – 110 photos »

Kids Caribana 52 photos »