Toronto Caribbean Carnival; Moving to the rhythm of Toronto

You can feel it in the air. A slight angst in the pit of your stomach, but it is not pain or concern, but sheer anxiousness. The echoes of whistles in the air, the vibrant colours of Caribbean flags waving, the elaborate floats slowly making their way down the parade route, and the sound of drums and the sweet sound of the steel pan. This is the pulse of Carnival.

It is that special time of the year when festival goers look forward to “freein-up” themselves, and letting the age-old spirit of Bacchanal loose, on full display for the city to witness.

With this year marking the 59^th year of Carnival in Toronto, dating back to 1967 when it began as “Caribana,” whether you participate or choose to fight the urge to indulge in the festivities leading up to the day, you can’t deny the power surge that creeps across the city. From toddlers to teenagers, adults to elders, all ages participate in the yearly celebration now massing over more than half a billion dollars to Toronto’s economy annually.

Junior Carnival (Kiddies Carnival), tracing all the way back to approximately 1970, is a distinct Caribana event. Keeping in mind that children participated in Caribana from its beginning in 1967, as parents would be walking with strollers, exposing their children to Mas, the same way their fore parents would have back in Trinidad, so long ago. Is the new first generation registering and attending with cell phone in hand for live video and selfies with their young ones?

The theme this year was, “We Move the Carnival” “which connected to the TTC’ theme, “Moving to the Rhythm of Toronto.”-TTC.

The question on the lips of past participants and Carnival attendees, leading up to the onset of summer, is always, “Are you playing mas this year?” If that is you, you know fully well what I am talking about. If not, it is a feeling you may have the privilege to feel the year you choose to play Mas. There is no comparison. Back in the early years, the discussion of “stormers” (non-costumed parade participants) was prevalent.

The issue of “I pay my good money to play mas; why should they be allowed to be on the road with we,” is an ongoing complaint. The infectious energy is so attractive, it invites you to want to sink your body into the collective and, in some cases, even hop the fence, as some would do, way back when, to merge into the vibrant space with the masqueraders. So, the question remains, who does Carnival belong to; the masqueraders, the bands, organizers, spectators, or the entire community?

Until the city erects larger barriers, and firmer security, most would agree that the vibe changed. Not that security and safety are not paramount at an event that attracts millions of people, but the need to encourage community and togetherness is the core foundation of what the festival represents. The very fact that so many still attend and support in droves, shows that even that reality will not take away from the tradition many of us have come to know as a Caribbean rites of passage, birthed in Trinidad & Tobago and nursed in many Caribbean islands affectionately landing itself right here in the gathering place, where cultures come to meet.

As usual practice, the panel of judges this year focused on areas such as craftsmanship, creativity, representation of theme, and performance. For many of the top bands, averaging about 2000+ masqueraders, including costume designers, volunteers and designers, the spirit of Carnival is still alive and well in Toronto.

The top three winners in this year’s Band competition this year were “Toronto Revellers” (founded in 2005), a band founded by former NBA player and Toronto Raptors executive Jamaal Magloire, coming in first place as Band of the Year. “Saldenah Carnival” (founded by legendary bandleader Louis and his father Harold “Sally” Saldena) coming in as strong second and “Carnival Nationz,” (founded in 2005 in third place).

So, did you participate in this year’s parade or surrounding events leading up to, or during the journey of floats from Exhibition Place to the Dowling Avenue bridge? Do you feel the spirit of Carnival is still alive and well in the city, or is it in need of a healthy jolt of Carnival CPR?