TORONTO, ON - July 24, 2014 /CNW/ - There is no other night like it, the 2014 Annual Gala is the most important night of the year for people who have a love of the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival and know how to celebrate in style. It is a night to wear your finest formals and come out to honour the rich history of the festival and to sample the Caribbean arts.

The gala will take place Friday July 25 at the Liberty Grand Ballroom on the Exhibition Place grounds. The evening begins with cocktails and an award ceremony at 5:30 p.m. and runs to midnight. El Dorado Rum is once again sponsoring this special night. Tickets are priced at $160.00.

The evening features an exquisite Caribbean dinner with signature hors d'oeuvres and beverages. During the evening there is a showcase of calypso singers, steel pan performers and of course beautiful people wearing stunning masquerade costumes from 9 different Mas Camps. Twenty-four models in costume will take part in a fashion show MC'd by CP24's Nathan Downer and Darling Nicky. As well the Junior King and Queen of the carnival will be there in costume to meet guests at the front doors of the Liberty Grand Ballroom.

This year the Gala will be raising money for The Caribbean Children Foundation. The TCCF is a tax-deductible organization that was created to help children living in the country of Haiti.

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. 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, OLG, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP24, Virgin Radio, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Ontario Science Centre, and the Liberty Grand.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada's most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

Tickets for the Gala can be purchased on-line at www.ticketgateway.com or at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival's official website atwww.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Management Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue.

Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Email: info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

For media inquiries:

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
Phone: 905-399-5322
Email: darlingnicky.ca@gmail.com 

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