2024 Toronto Caribbean Carnival Festival management committee shares, “Look forward to exciting changes!”

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is much anticipation, expectation and cautious optimism for the 57th Toronto Caribbean Carnival. There have been many challenges that the Festival Management Committee (FMC) have faced over the years notably in terms of funding. The FMC has some exciting plans for 2024, which it recently unveiled. This is good news for North America’s largest Caribbean festival.

In the December 23^rd, 2023, issue of the Toronto Carnival Insider Volume 1: Beyond the Mas some of the achievements and accomplishments of 2023 are highlighted by Jennifer Hirlehey, Chair of the FMC. She lists:

• For the first time in the history of the FMC, we involved representatives of our stakeholders: OPSA, OSA and CAC to join our Board of Directors.
• This year the FMC prioritizes: fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency. We were able to produce the Carnival with approximately $1.7 million less than the year before.
• We reinvested our Education Program, enabling us to take the Carnival Arts back to our schools.
• We took preliminary steps to start our scholarships and building projects.
• We refurbished our Sponsorship Program collaborating with multiple high-profile corporations.
• We restructured internally, ensuring that we have qualified professionals at all levels of the organization.
• We’ve prioritized projects aimed at revitalizing our volunteer and judging program.
• We’re taking strides towards self-sustainability and less dependence on grants and other government funding.

In many ways, 2023 was a pivotal year for the largest Caribbean festival in North America as it involved the launch of several creative initiatives. One of them was the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Varsity Collection. It was created by a local artist in Toronto.

Adrian Charles (General Manager) describes some of the changes. “Many of the events will be moved from Lamport Stadium to Exhibition Place, which represents an essential change in location. The utilization of Exhibition Place will see the border of Prince’s Boulevard, New Brunswick and Ontario Drive which is lot number 852 hosting three important events. They include: The King and Queen, the Pan Alive, and the Grand Parade. There will be a significant expansion in the seating capacity that will

include a VIP and judges’ seating. Furthermore, by locating in one area it will help logistically and there will be a better chance of managing other aspects of the festival.”

Board Chair Hirleley followed up on her concerns about funding for 2024. She outlines what the FMC expects in the “Toronto Carnival Insider Vol 0224,” which was sent out on April 3^rd, 2024. “Our goal is to become self-sufficient so that we can ensure the Carnival’s longevity and rely less on government funding to stage the Carnival. However, we must continue to educate all levels of government on the significant economic impact of the Carnival.”

She mentions the economic benefits of the Carnival to the City of Toronto. “We contribute approximately $480 million to Ontario’s GDP. We create approximately 4,000 direct jobs each year and we contribute approximately $180 million to the combined tax revenues of the: federal, provincial and municipal governments. Yet, on average we receive approximately one million dollars in combined funding from all levels of government. Moreover, we receive significantly less funding from the province than other festivals of similar size.”

On March 18^th, 2024, the FMC Executive Leadership Team met with several MPPs of different parties at the Ontario Legislature. MPP Charmaine Williams introduced and welcomed followed by a reception. The New Dimension Steel Orchestra and Dance Caribe performed followed by a display of costumes by Tribal Mas.

The dates and events of the upcoming Toronto Caribbean Carnival are:

July 14^th: Jr. King and Queen

July 20^th: Jr Parade

July 28^th: OCPA Calypso Show

August 1^st: King & Queen

August 2^nd: Friday Night Mas

August 3^rd: Grand Parade

August 4^th: OSA Pan in D Park

August 4^th: International Rum Fest