
By Stephen Weir
Photos by Gilbert Medina
If it wasn’t the largest annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Junior Caribbean Parade, it must have been close. Organizers of the annual parade estimate that 20,000 people showed up in Malvern to cheer on the children.
Eric Delfish, the longtime organizer of the parade, said it was perfect Mas parade weather on Saturday, and people came out in droves to see thousands of children in costume taking it on de Road. Under the clear blue sky, the morning parade started at the Malvern Community Centre, with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland giving the go-ahead to the kids at the starting line.

“The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is a part of Toronto’s cultural fabric, drawing thousands to its vibrant parade and festivities celebrating Caribbean culture,” said Freeland. “Today’s Junior Carnival (Saturday) was a wonderful family celebration, and I’m sure everyone there enjoyed being a part of it!”
The young masqueraders marched and danced in colourful Caribana costumes along McLevin Ave. to Neilson Rd. towards Neilson Park. Each of the 11 bands went past a reviewing stand so that costumes and their parade moves could be judged. After finishing the parade, the children, their families, and the spectators moved on to a huge picnic in nearby Neilson Park.

And the winners? First place went to Tribal Carnival. Second place was won by Jamaal Magloire’s Revellers. Third place honours were captured by Saldenah Carnival, and fourth by Carnival Nationz. While winning is important at the carnival on Saturday, being a part of this giant event was reason enough to be there.
“Our little masqueraders were absolute stars on the road, shining bright for the judges! While 5th place for Junior Parade of Bands is amazing, the true win was seeing their joy and growth,” said a spokesman for EPIC Carnival after the parade. “You don’t have to be a winner to win at this parade.”

“We celebrate racial justice year-round, and the summer is the perfect time to celebrate and champion Unifor members who help bring the Caribbean Carnival to life every year,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. The union was a sponsor of the parade and took part in it as well. Unifor, alongside the Executive of Unifor Local 40, has also organized a mas band contingent to represent the union in the coming Grand Parade.
The parade was covered by CTV and other news channels, but the rest of the mainstream media did not make it out to Scarborough. In China and India, two English language papers covered the Canadian classic. No worries if you didn’t see the pictures, though; you can see our photographer Gilbert Medina’s best shots of the day on the Caribbean Camera website.