TORONTO, ON - July 08, 2014 /CNW/ - The community was welcomed to the official launch of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival at Nathan Phillips Square, which featured over 100 masqueraders, Soca and Calypso music, Caribbean food and more. The launch ceremony, hosted by CTV Toronto's Andria Case and CP24's Pooja Handa was followed by a colourful parade of over 100 Mas players, Afropan Steel Band, Calypso Soca Monarch Macomere Fifi and Reggae Artist Steele. 

Also at the event were Finance Minister Joe Oliver, Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport Michael Coteau, Scotiabank VP of Toronto East District Christine Williams, Ontario Science Centre CEO Maurice Bitran, Festival CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson and CAO Chris Alexander, members of the Canadian Caribbean community and Chutney Soca artist Drupatee.

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival events this summer include: 

Opening Church Service: Sunday July 13th, 2014 at 10 a.m. Church of the Nativity, 10 Sewells Road, Scarborough. **FREE.

Junior Carnival Parade: Saturday July 19th, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Neilson Park, Scarborough, The Junior Carnival Parade heads to Malvern! **FREE.

Festival Cup Match: Saturday July 19th, 2014 - 4th Annual Caribbean Carnival Cup Match between Canada Wolverines and Jamaica at Lamport Stadium. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. **PURCHASE TICKETS at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com

Community Picnic: Thursday, July 24, 2014. 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Lamport Stadium Parkette. Supported by the Liberty Village BIA. Live Soca Music, Calypso and Pan Orchestra, food and tasting with Celebrity Caribbean Chef **FREE.

The Annual Gala: Friday July 25, 2014 - The Annual Gala, a formal party to honour the rich history of the festival and to sample Caribbean cuisine and the arts, will take place at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex within Exhibition Place. 5:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. **PURCHASE TICKETS at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com

"Kaiso 365" Calypso Monarch Competition: Saturday July 26, 2014 - Ontario's best Calypso performers compete to see who will wear the crown as this country's top Calypso singer. Evening competition to be held at the Chinese Cultural Centre's P C Ho Theatre in Scarborough. 6 p.m. - midnight. **PURCHASE TICKETS AT VENUE.

The King and Queen Competition: Thursday July 31, 2014 - This evening event showcases the elaborate costumes, which will be worn by the Kings and Queens in the Grand Parade. Lamport Stadium seating is being increased to accommodate spectators at this year's King And Queen competition. 7 p.m. - midnight. **PURCHASE TICKETS at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com

Pan Alive: Friday August 1, 2014 at Lamport Stadium. Pan Alive is the largest outdoor steel pan orchestra competition in North America. Over a dozen orchestras from Ontario and Quebec will compete in an evening battle of the bands at Lamport Stadium. 7 p.m. - midnight. **PURCHASE TICKETS AT VENUE

Jab-Jab J'Ouvert: Friday August 1, 2014 - Jab Jab J'Ouvert is a night until morning event at Wilson Avenue Outdoor Arena -- full of fun and straight from the islands of Grenada and Trinidad. Live entertainment by: Talpree, Lava Man, Skinny Fabulous, Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons, Problem Child, JW & Blaze, ASA Banton, Mr Leggs, Tommy G, G-Bolo, Plus a Special Female Guest. **PURCHASE TICKETS at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com

The Grand Parade: Saturday August 2, 2014 at Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Blvd. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Rain or Shine! **FREE or PURCHASE TICKETS FOR SEATING at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com

Summer Slamm: Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Wilson Avenue Outdoor Arena. Music, food and performances. Summer Slamm 2014 with entertainment by Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons and the Asylum Band, Destra, Iwer George, Skinny Fabulous, Problem Child, JW & Blaze, KI, Drupatee, Salsa / Latino performers, DJ from Major Lazor, Talpree, Lava Man plus a special guest artist from Jamaica! **PURCHASE TICKETS at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com

Carnival Island: Sunday, August 3, 2014 at Olympic Island. The Carnival Island event is the fusion of popular Caribbean musical styles, Calypso, Soca dance music, Indo Bhojpuri folk and Chutney. End your Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival weekend on a high note at this family-friendly event. Gates open at noon. **PURCHASE TICKETS at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com

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, CP-24, 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.

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