It’s the cutest Carnival parade!

Malvern love-in with Junior Carnival

By Gerald V. Paul

Costumes at the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival kids’ version rival those of the adults at the Grand Parade Aug. 1.  Photo by Gerald Paul.
Costumes at the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival kids’ version rival those of the adults at the Grand Parade Aug. 1.
Photo by Gerald Paul.

It was glittering fun all around as the Children’s Breakfast Club and Toronto Police Services again supported the 1,500-strong  kids in costumes from nine Mas camps in the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Junior  Parade and Family Day in Malvern.

“We were well received in the community as numerous flags from various countries were in the hands of those watching the parade and participating in the family Day” on Saturday, said Eric Delfish, Junior Parade manager.

“There has also been an increase in the numbers of members of the community who were watching the parade and participating in the Family Day. Thanks for the love, Malvern,” Delfish added.

Adults and kids alike were in for a treat last weekend at the Junior Carnival.  Photo by Gerard Paul.
Adults and kids alike were in for a treat last weekend at the Junior Carnival.
Photo by Gerard Paul.

He noted that the family event allows young people to participate as producers, performers and presenters. The event also engages three stakeholders: Mas Bands Association, Organization of Calypso Performing Artists and Ontario Steelpan Association.

The kickoff ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough-Rouge River), MPP Bas Balkissoon (Scarborough-Rouge River), City Councillor Dr. Raymond Cho and Carnival CEO Denise Herrera Jackson and CAO Chris Alexander.

Colourful costumes and heaps of fun were the order of the day. Photo by Gerard Paul.
Colourful costumes and heaps of fun were the order of the day. Photo by Gerard Paul.

Also at the Family Day event were Premier Kathleen Wynne, Mayor John Tory, federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal candidate for Scarborough-Rouge Park and former police chief Bill Blair, Liberal candidate for Scarborough Southwest.

The judges’ final results of the Junior Parade are:

Band of the Year: Jamaal Magloire, Toronto Revellers, The Games.

Queen of the Bands: Marcus Eustace, On Broadway, The Life of The Lion King, Carnival Nationz, played by Reeyana Singh.

Family Day and the Junior Carnival kept things hopping in Malvern.  Photo by Gerard Paul.
Family Day and the Junior Carnival kept things hopping in Malvern.
Photo by Gerard Paul.

Junior King: The Chronicles of Machel Montano, Heavenly Drums, Louis Saldenah Mas K-Club, played by Fabian Lee.

Female Individual:  Marcus Eustace, Band Theme, On Broadway, Cinderella Going to the Ball, Carnival Nationz, Kaia Castie.

Male Individual, Will Morton, Caribbean Tales, The Coconut Vendor,  Fantazia International, played by Joshua Martinez.

Meanwhile, The BAND Gallery Caribbean Food Bank slated for July 23 will continue to Aug. 8 at 1 Landsdowne Ave., 2nd Floor.

The BAND Gallery partners with chefs Bashir Bunye of My Little Dumplings and Ikeila of One Love Vegetarian to celebrate the communal exchange that is a core part of Caribbean culture with a Caribbean food market. In exchange for a recipe, patrons will be given ingredients to create a classic Caribbean meal or introduce a friend to the unique blend of African, Indian and Chinese flavours that make up Caribbean home cooking.

Upcoming Carnival events include:

Tomorrow (July 24) it’s the Carnival Ball at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and awards at Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex, Exhibition Place.

On Saturday, it’s the Calypso Extravaganza Show at PC Ho Theatre, 5183 Sheppard Ave. E.

Next is the King and Queen presentation July 30 at Allan Lamport Stadium, 1151 King St. W., where bandleaders provide the main entertainment with male and female performers presenting the creative output of talented artists, designers and costumes builders. The Ontario Science Centre awards a special prize for the engineering, construction, design and best environmental use of material in a costume.

Pan Alive, presented by Ontario Steelpan Association, is at Allan Lamport Stadium July 31, at 7 p.m.

And the Grand Parade, the biggest Carnival party in North America, happens Saturday, Aug. 1, at Exhibition Place, Ontario Place and Lake Shore Blvd.

Finally, it’s lime time with Carnival Island Aug. 2, a short ferryboat ride to Olympic Island.

Gerald V. Paul
Gerald V. Paul