50th anniversary of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival kicks off

A half century after the first 'Caribana' made an indelible mark on the city, revellers officially kicked-offthe 50th anniversary of the Peeks Toronto Caribbean Carnival in Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday.

The launch was a cultural showcase and teaser event for the festival, slated to begin on July 17. Three groups with deep ties to the festival were featured: Toronto Mas Bands Association, Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes and the Ontario Steelpan Association.

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The annual carnival, formerly called Caribanauntil a trademark dispute forced a name change, is a raucous celebration of all things Caribbean. Music, dancing, colourful regalia and unmistakable island eats draw huge crowds to the city.

Though it has struggled with funding hurdles and infighting among stakeholders, it continues to be a huge draw to people of all backgrounds.

"Every other festival ... the way they take to the streets, that's what Caribanabrought to this city in large measure," said LennoxFarrell, former chair of the carnival's organizing committee.

The first festival was held partly as a centennial event in 1967, with financial and logistical support from the governments of Caribbean nations. About 1,000 people showed up, and they were treated to something they'd never seen on Toronto's streets.

"When I arrived here in the late '60s, a parade on Yonge Street or on University was people marching four-fours, eyes right and bugling," Farrell said during an interview with CBC's Metro Morningon Tuesday.

"What Caribana did, was it took the streets and made it theatre. It made it drama. It made it inclusive. It made it much of what Toronto is today."

In more recent years, Toronto's Caribbean Festival has consistently drawn more than a million to the city. According to the Festival Management Committee, that amounts to an economic impact of about $338 million in terms of GDP in 2014.

Over its 50 years, the festival has become a landmark event for Toronto's Caribbean and wider black community.

Still, he said, the carnival is taken for granted by some who see only the dollar value and not the true spirit of the celebration.

"It's welcomed and retained for the revenue it brings. Caribana was not and is still not welcomed for who she is. She's Canadian-born, but she's not Canadian," Farrell said, explaining that it evolved from the cultural and political milieu of the Caribbean islands.

The next generation

One of the other challenges has been passing on one of the key traditions of the festival the making ofcostumes and floats to a new generation.

At 33, AkilHeywoodis leading the Atlantic Mas for the second-year running. He's the youngest band leader in the parade and has tried to recruit friends and other youth to join him in building the float and making the costumes.

It's critical to pass those skills on to those people who have previously only seen the parade as a weeks-long party, he said.

He's still acquiring those skills himself. Walter Elliott, an elder and master craftsman, is responsible for building the queen and king mas, the rolling frames that will house the most elaborate costumes.

"These pioneers are really important They've got a secret that, hopefully, they can pass down to me," Heywood said.

The festival will run until Aug.7 with events planned throughout the city.