The 46th Annual Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival returns with improvements to the Grand Parade route and an expanded list of events

Scotiabank Extends its Title Sponsorship of Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival for three years

TORONTO, May 21, 2013 /CNW/ - The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival kicked off today with music and dancing at the Ontario Science Centre.  MPP Laura Albanese, (York South-Weston) Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport helped unveil the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival 2013 campaign this morning.

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival will run from July 9, 2013 to August 4, 2013, and once again bring the culture of the Caribbean to over a million spectators in downtown Toronto. The public launch will take place on July 9, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at Toronto's Nathan Phillip's Square, where dancers, musicians, and calypso singers will get the city into the Carnival spirit.

"The funding from our sponsors means that the Festival can continue to deliver new and exciting events again this year," said Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson.  "We are changing how the big parade will be run due to the construction on the CNE grounds which will give more opportunities for spectators inside the park grounds to see our colourful parade. Once again, funds raised at our events will be donated to four community charities - The Children's Breakfast Club, The Caribbean Children's Foundation, Prostate Cancer Canada and Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario."

"In 2008, we became title sponsor of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival -- the largest North American Caribbean festival of its kind.  I'm proud to say that once again, Scotiabank has extended our partnership for another three years," said Christine Williams, Scotiabank Vice President, Toronto East District. "This partnership started an exciting new chapter for Scotiabank because the Caribbean is where the Bank's international story began."

"For the fourth year, we are happy to sponsor the Ontario Science Centre Innovative Costume Award which recognizes innovation in costume design," said Lesley Lewis, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre. "There's a foundation of science behind the beauty and creativity of each and every costume. From the mathematics involved in the design, the physics involved in how the costumes move to the mechanics and engineering involved in the structural integrity for the larger, more elaborate pieces."

The Toronto waterfront Carnival parade, taking place on August 3rd, is expected to draw over a million people down to Toronto's CNE grounds. This year the staging area for the 16,000 costumed masqueraders and floats is being moved to the north-end of the CNE property.  The parade will travel the width of the CNE grounds before entering Lakeshore Blvd, giving the festival more space to accommodate spectators.

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival events include:

• Junior Carnival Parade - July 20, 2013: The first big event, the Junior Carnival Parade, will take place at Downsview Park. In 2012, over 2,500 children performed for the judges and played Mas along the streets of the Downsview Park. Chevrolet supports the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Junior Carnival Parade.
• Festival Cup Match - July 20, 2013:  Sport fans will want to watch the Canadian Rugby League take on the Jamaica Rugby League at Lamport Stadium. This is the third year for the Festival match - the Canadian team remains undefeated. Game starts at 7:00 p.m.
• NEW FREE EVENT: The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Summertime BBQ JULY 25,  2013: Food, Soca music, costumes, and Moko Jumbies at the Eglinton Square Shopping Centre (Eglinton East / Victoria Park).
• The Annual Gala - July 26, 2013: The Annual Gala, a formal wear party to honour the rich history of the festival and to sample the Caribbean arts, will take place at the Liberty Grand Ballroom on the CNE grounds.
• Monarch Contest - July 28, 2013 Ontario's best Calypso performers compete to see who will wear the crown as this country's top Calypso singer. Evening competition to be held at the Chinese Cultural Centre's P C Ho Theatre in Scarborough.
• The King and Queen Contest - August 1, 2013: This nighttime event showcases the elaborate costumes, which will be worn by the Kings and Queens in the Grand Parade. Due to overwhelming demand, the seating for Lamport Stadium is being increased to accommodate spectators at this year's King And Queen competition.
• Pan Alive - August 2, 2013: Pan Alive is the largest outdoor steel pan orchestra competition in North America.  Over a dozen orchestras from Ontario and Quebec will compete in an evening battle of the bands at Lamport Stadium.
• THE GRAND PARADE - August 3, 2013: Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Blvd. 10am - 6pm. Rain or Shine!
• Beyond Lime August 4, 2013: Music. Food. Performances. Traditional end to the Caribbean festival.

About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, and revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 46th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Carnival is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. The Festival Management Committee oversees the running of North America's largest outdoor festival.

Corporate sponsors of this year's festival include: Scotiabank, Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival's official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected].

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations

For media inquires:

Stephen Weir
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
Phone [phone]
Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: [email protected]

Sheena Findlay
Scotiabank
Cell: 647-628-3501
Email: [email protected]