The city wined, jumped and waved back to life as the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the parade participants, the annual Carnival wasn’t just a way to celebrate their culture, it’s their first big gathering on this scale in the last two years. “It feels like life is back again and people can celebrate life,” said Laverne Garcia, chair of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Board, as she got ready to hit the main stage to give the opening ceremony remarks. Carnival band. The Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly known as Caribana, had its inaugural parade in 1967, but the parade itself has roots dating back to the late 18th century in Trinidad and Tobago as a celebration of the emancipation from slavery.

Source: thestar July 31, 2022 19:32 UTC