TORONTO, ON - July 17, 2014 /CNW/ -

• The Junior Parade begins at 11 a.m. with over 1,500 junior masqueraders, Soca and Calypso Music, Caribbean Food and more!

The media are invited to join local politicians, civic leaders, Scotiabank Vice President of the Toronto North District Gord Hyland and Festival CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson and CAO Chris Alexander to kick off the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival's Junior Carnival Parade at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19 south of the intersection of McLevin Ave and Neilson Road.

The brief launch ceremony will be followed by a colourful parade of over 1,500 children in Mas costumes. At the end of the 3-hour event, there will be a Family Day party at Neilson Park.

What:
The Junior Carnival Parade involves children, from 6 months to 16 years old, in Mas costumes from 9 Mas camps. The parade and party is the first large event of the 3-week summer festival. The children will assemble at the Malvern Community Centre, parade east along McLevin to Sewells Road and then North on Neilson Road to the Neilson Park.

Why:
The annual parade introduces children to the traditions of Carnival. Over a thousand children will take part. The junior Mas players, grouped into 9 different Mas camps, will be judged by a panel of professional judges. Because of construction projects at Downsview Park (site of the last two Junior Carnivals) the parade has been moved to the Scarborough community of Malvern.

When:
Saturday July 19, 2014
Ribbon cutting at 10:45 a.m. 
Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 2:00 p.m. 
After the parade is a Family Day Party with junior Calypso Singers, Junior Steel Pan Orchestras and Caribbean Food in Neilson Park. The Family Day Party ends at 8:00 p.m.

Where:
McLevin/Sewells Road/Neilson Road the Malvern and Neilson Parks.

All media are welcome to cover the event. The public is encouraged to attend this FREE event.

For more information, please visit www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

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 and Corporate Affairs
Cell: 647-821-3849
Email: diana.hart@scotiabank.com