Toronto Caribbean Carnival Announces New General Manager

BY: ALYSSA MAHADEO

Summertime in Toronto is host to some of the biggest cultural festivals in the city celebrating Canadian diversity and the many people that make up our nation.

This year, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival will celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the festival, and on this year’s frontline, they welcome newly appointed General Manager Richard de Lima.

Richard de Lima was officially appointed as General Manager of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival at the beginning of last month and will be responsible for the overall management of the Festival Management Committee (FMC) and the production of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Canada’s celebration of freedom and diversity.

The new GM brings 30 years of experience in business management, tourism, and hospitality to the 52nd year of the Caribbean Carnival celebrations in Toronto.

In addition to a 30-year career in engineering and business management, including experience working for major tourism, hospitality and entertainment organizations in Canada, the Caribbean and other international locations, de Lima brings a passion for Carnival arts and culture, with his 43 years as a “mas maker”, masquerader and steelpan aficionado.

“We are grateful to be working with an executive that combines both the required operational skills along with a deep knowledge of and passion for Caribbean Carnival operations”, says Joe Halstead, FMC Chairman. “We look forward to our 52nd year of the celebration under his guidance and leadership.”

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting four-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, and revelry. It is the largest cultural event in Canada and the largest outdoor festival in North America. Taking place from July 7th to August 11th, 2019, and since this year marks the 52nd anniversary of the carnival in Toronto it will feature more floats, music, celebrities, and fun than ever before. The theme “Canada’s Celebration of Freedom and Diversity” will infuse every aspect of the festival, from the parade route to the shows and all performers including singers, pannists and calypsonians.

The city of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area will come alive with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Salsa, Zouk, Reggae, Chutney, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. Carnival events will showcase originality, culture, and history to millions of spectators attending in downtown Toronto or watching on television and online.

“I look forward to working with our key stakeholders in the Mas, Pan, and Calypso communities to forge truly collaborative relationships, where my objective is to evolve the Toronto Caribbean Carnival to be the best carnival in the world,” says de Lima. “As Canada’s celebration of freedom and diversity, our objective is to engage and invite Canadians and visitors from coast to coast to participate and experience the “Festival of Joy” that happens every summer in Canada’s downtown.”

The Festival Management Committee (FMC) is the official producer of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Canada’s four-week-long celebration of freedom and diversity.  Established in 1967 as part of Canada’s Centennial celebrations, the event formerly known as “Caribana”, has evolved into North America’s largest event of its kind with over 1 million participants annually and showcases the very best of Canadian Caribbean arts and culture.

For more information, please visit www.torontocarnival.ca or connect with them on social media @gotocarnival.

Put it in your calendars and make sure to head down to the Lakeshore and join your fellow masqueraders to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the festival this summer!