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Toronto Caribana, Toronto Flags and Colours, Jane Finch, Carnival
Caribana Festival (courtesy Archives of Ontario, Ministry of Transportation collection/RG14-151-3-149)
In the mid-1960s, Canada's pending centennial anniversary fostered much excitement. Funding was offered and many groups began to think of ways to mark Canada's 100th year. Within Toronto's Black community, those having long roots in Canada, as well as those who had more recently arrived, joined together to plan. African liberation celebrations in May were uneasy gatherings. August 1st had been celebrated as Emancipation Day, the date reflecting the time of the legal end of African enslavement in British-controlled Canada and the Caribbean (August 1, 1834).
A new entity to reflect both the long-term and the more recent arrivals of the African diaspora in Canada was created to mark Canada's centennial, the abolition of enslavement and the potential for African independence, using the model of "carnival." Caribana was born, introducing new audiences to an interactive parade and raising the profile of African/Black/Caribbean foods, arts, culture, music and dance.
While it has grown to become the largest such event in the world, bringing in thousands of people to share in the experience, the goal of creating a Black community centre from the profits of Caribana has yet to be realized.
Caribana Timeline
1967
The first Caribana festival kicks off to celebrate Caribbean culture in the city of Toronto. Ten Caribbean individuals create the Caribbean Centennial Committee (CCC) and organize a festival as a gift to Canada for its Centennial year. Thousands of people visit the Olympic Islands for a sample of Caribbean music, food, and artifacts. The highlight of the festival is a spectacular parade along Yonge Street. Colourful mas bands jump up to the sound of Calypso and steel drums.
1968
After the great success of the first Caribana festival in 1967, the Caribbean Centennial Committee (CCC) changes its name to the Caribbean Committee for Cultural Advancement (CCCA). They are determined to continue showcasing the beauty of Caribbean culture and begin to make plans about how they can improve and grow the Caribana festival.1969 The organizers of Caribana change their name for a third time to the Caribbean Cultural Committee - Caribana and focus on more than the festival itself. The group is committed to offer a variety of social services - interpretive dance classes, the formation of a steel band, the development of lectures and seminars for new immigrants from the Caribbean - to the Caribbean community.
1971
Competitor Clive Brand just makes it out of his costume as it goes up in flames at the King and Queen Show. He is forced to throw his $400 costume into Lake Ontario to put the fire out. The blaze is a result of the two flares placed inside his costume to boldly display the colours to the judges. Although he loses his costume to the flames, he wins first place and is crowned King of the bands.
1984
Vanessa Williams is invited as a celebrity guest to the Caribana parade after she is crowned the first black Miss America. She retains her invitation, despite being forced to give up her crown when nude pictures of her surfaced and were released to the public.
1991
The Caribana parade moves locations. After 23 years of jumping up to the music along Yonge Street or University Avenue, the parade is set to take place at the CNE Grandstand and along Lakeshore Boulevard. The city and police recognize that they need a wider street for the bands and spectators to enjoy the parade and stay safe. Despite the move, thousands of visitors flock the city and Caribana continues to grow.
1998
Unfortunately Johnny Cayonne, one of the founding members, dies of inoperable cancer on July 6, 1998.
2004
The Caribbean Cultural Committee (CCC) fails to give the city a clean audit report for the spending of government grants in previous years. Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago steps in to help Toronto promote and grow the festival. By 2006, the Caribbean Cultural Committee (CCC) is forced to give up authority over Caribana and the festival temporarily changed its name to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. A new organization is formed and Caribana carries on.
2007
Caribana celebrates its 40th birthday and is still jumping strong. In the battle of the mas bands, NBA player Jamaal Magloire's, Toronto Revellers, take home first place in the competition. In only its second year as a competitive band, it won over the judges with its flashy Viva Las Vegas theme.
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