TORONTO, ON - August 01, 2014 /CNW/ - The media are invited to join Premier Kathleen Wynne, Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver, Ontario Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport Michael Coteau, City Hall politicians, Scotiabank Vice President of the Toronto East District Christine Williams, Festival CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson and CAO Chris Alexander, as they kick-off the 47th annual Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade. 

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning on the parade route southeast of the BMO Field.

What:

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2014 is kicking off the parade with a colourful half-hour ceremony. Immediately following the cutting of the ribbon, the parade will begin with a VIP procession down the parade route, followed by guest bands, floats, nine Mas bands and a dozen steel pan orchestras.

Why:

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an important tourism event. It annually brings hundreds of thousands of tourists into the city. The ribbon cutting ceremony is a parade tradition dating back to 1967 -- the first Caribbean Canadian festival. The Grand Parade route has been extended this year to over 4kms. 

Who:

There will be 16,000 masqueraders, both male and female, pan artists and Calypso singers taking part in the parade.

When:

National anthem at 8:55 a.m. sharp. Speeches from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Guest bands will take to the parade route at 9:35 a.m. Competition bands will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run to 5:30 p.m.

The order of the bands is as follows:

1. Toronto Revellers - Jamaal Magloire
2. Fantazia International - Will Morton
3. Saldenah Mas-k Club - Louis Saldenah
4. Carnival Nationz - Marcus Eustace/Bryce Aguiton
5. Tribal Carnival - Dexter Seusahai
6. Connections - Mervyn Skeete
7. Concept Costume Creators - Whitfield Belasco
8. Carnival Revolution - Osei Brand
9. D'Regular - Michael Williams

Where:

The parade begins at the northwest corner of Exhibition Place, travels east to the Prince's Gates, south to Lakeshore Blvd where the parade travels west past the Marilyn Bell Park.

How: 

All media are welcome to cover the event provided they have festival issued ID badges. 
www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE - CAR/TRUCK ACCESS TO THE PARK WILL END AT 8:30 AM. 
ONCE ON THE GROUNDS ALL MEDIA WILL NEED FESTIVAL ISSUED BADGES TO ENTER 3 VIEWING AREAS OF THE PARADE. THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IS THE LAST/ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDIA TO PICK UP THEIR BADGES AT THE MEDIA DESK ADJACENT TO THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY.

Media Contacts

Stephen Weir
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
Phone: 416-489-5868
Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Darling Nicky
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Cultural Liaison and PR
Cell: 905-399-5322
Email: darlingnicky.ca@gmail.com

Diana Hart
Scotiabank, Public, Corporate & Government Affairs
Cell: 647-821-3849
Email: diana.hart@scotiabank.com