Presenting: CARIBANA - Toronto's Huge Caribbean Cultural Festival

I had a chance to talk with John Kam, Vice-Chair ofTrinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent & The
the Board of Directors, about one of Toronto'sGrenadines and much, much more. There will also be
greatest special events and tourist attractions:locally based Caribbean-bred performers appearing
Caribana, the city's hugely popular and internationallyduring the all-day extravaganza. This is to be staged
renowned festival of Caribbean culture which ison a cordoned off area knows as the Bandshell.
scheduled this year for July 15 to August 1, 2005.There will be Arts & Crafts booths from the
1. Please tell us about Caribana - what type of festivaldifferent Caribbean islands set up around the area with
is it?tasty Caribbean food on sale throughout the day. All of
CARIBANA(TM) is a two-week festival of Caribbeanis going to cost only $10.
culture that includes a great variety of events, here areThe CARIBANA (TM) 'Marketplace is where
just a selected few: from a media launch on June 23,commerce meets culture, and everyone walks away
to the popular Children's Carnival on July 16, awith a tasteful memory. Dine on festival-style
Calypso-Soca Forum on July 16, an Interfaith ServiceCaribbean cuisine, shop for an array of Arts &
on July 17 at the St. James Cathedral, the King &Crafts, and Festival souvenirs and relish a toast of the
Queen Extravaganza on July 28, to the bigbrewmaster's craft and some of Niagara's
CARIBANA(TM) parade on July 30 which is followedinternationally acclaimed wines and spirits.
up by the Arts and Cultural Festival on Olympic Island5. Please tell us about the musical entertainment
on July 31 and August 1, 2005.offered during Caribana?
CARIBANA(TM) is a feast for the eyes and ears, andThe musical entertainment generally comes from
you will be able to enjoy a great Caribbean celebration,various top Caribbean artistes coming in from the
complete with fabulous music, exuberant dancing andCaribbean and of course locally based Caribbean-bred
delicious food.artistes.
CARIBANA(TM) is also the only surviving Arts Project6. What type of food services are available during
launched as part of the 1967, Canada B1-centennialCaribana?
celebrations. It has gone on to become theThere are various types of food available during the
cornerstone of Tourism in Southern Ontario.festival each year. On either side of the parade route
2. Please tell us about the festival's history, how has iton Caribana Day, authorized vendors sell different
evolved?types of Caribbean cuisine including Pelau (Peas &
The Caribbean Cultural Committee ("the CCC",Rice), Jerk Chicken, Bake & Shark (sandwiches)
registered trademark - CARIBANA(TM)) is aand traditional drinks including Sorrel and Mauby (a drink
non-profit, community-based corporation created by amade from the bitter bark of a tree and sweetened
group of Pan-Caribbean academics, students andwith lots of sugar).
professionals in 1967, under the name Caribbean7. Please give us an idea of the sponsors who make
Committee for Cultural Advancement. The CCC wasthis big event happen.
established in response to Canada's centennialThe sponsors vary from year to year. This year the
celebration commemorating its diversity and thelist includes The City of Toronto, CTV News, The
contributions made to Canada from the variousToronto Star, Yorkgate Mall, British West Indian
cultures that comprise the Canadian mosaic. WhatAirways (BWIA), The Caribbean Camera and Breyers.
began as an expression of the goals and aspirations8. Roughly how many people visit Caribana and what
of the Caribbean community resident here--that theeconomic impact does it have on Toronto?
culture of the Caribbean had pride of place inCARIBANA(TM) attracts according to research
Canada--has blossomed into the world-renownedestimates from DECIMA (1990) nearly one million
festival of Carnival Arts, CARIBANA(TM).spectators to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA),
3. How about all the colourful costumes? Who createsgenerating, according to figures compiled and released
them? What about the cost involved?by the City of Toronto, $400 million annually for the
The masquerade costumes are designed by specialToronto economy.
artists after which people with special craft-making9. What is the cost of attending Caribana? What
skills are employed to actually produce the costumesevents require tickets, how much are they and where
at what are called mas camps. The cost varies fromcan I obtain tickets?
band to band but generally stays within the range ofSome events require the purchase of tickets, while
$75 to $130 per costume.others don't. For instance the CCC/Yorkgate Mall
4. Please tell us about the Caribana Marketplace.Children's Parade which takes place on July 16, is
The Caribbean Village is going to be set up on anFREE. So too is the Parade Day. However, if on
elevated area overlooking the parade route, onCaribana Day (the parade day), you wish to sit in the
Lakeshore Boulevard. From there patrons will be ablestadium on the CNE Grounds that requires the
to look down and see the spectacle of Caribana as itpurchase of a ticket. Different events carry different
unfolds while having another party going on nonstop!admission fees. You will be able to get specific
There will be more than 50 top artistes from differentinformation about the admission prices for the official
islands of the Caribbean performing during the courseCaribana events by visiting the website:
of the day from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The artistesThank you for giving us a preview of this colourful,
will come from Barbados, Grenada, Antigua/Barbuda,exciting festival and I look forward to a great party.