No fewer than eleven costumed bands “in competition”  will be in the Grand Parade at the Peeks Toronto  Caribbean Carnival 2018 on August 4.

And  there will be more “big bands” this year,  reports Chris Alexander, Chief  Administrative Officer of the Festival Management  Committee (FMC) , organizers of the carnival.

Speaking at the  FMC’s  media launch at  Metro Hall  on Tuesday,  Alexander said there will be five” big bands” (each with more than 700  players) as compared to last year when there were only  three.

“We’ll also have guest bands  and non-competitive bands in the parade this year,”  he said.

Alexander also repor

ted that the parade route will be extended.

Masqueraders and steel bands will wind their way from the assembly area at Exhibition Place along a 3.5-kilometer stretch on Lakeshore Boulevard to Canada Boulevard.

Alexander  told re

porters that for the first time “we will have a

raised stage in Exhibition Place for the bands to

perform.”

He also noted that steps were

been taken to ensure visitor 

safety.

“We are going to make sure that everyone who participates in the festival  is well protected ,” he said.

Toronto City Councillor Joe Mihevc, the Council’s Liaison with the Toronto Caribbean carnival,  reported that the City has supported the Festival this year ” in the amount of $625,000  plus all the services   that go into producing the festival.”

The official launch of the festival will take place at Nathan Phillips Square on

July 10.The FMC notes that this event ” engages the three artistic groups for the festival: Toronto Mas’ Bands Association, Organization of Calypso

Performing Artists, and the Ontario Steelpan Association.

The following are some of  the other major festival events:

Junior Carnival King and Queen Showcase | July 15, 2018

Location: Woodbine Centre

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Junior Carnival Parade and Family Day| July 21, 2018

Location:   Malvern and Neilson Parks, Scarborough

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Carnival Ball | July 27, 2018

Location:  Beamsfield Centre, Exhibition Place

Calypso Showcase | July 29, 2018

Location: St. Peter and Paul Banquet Hall

Time: 6:00 p.m. – Midnight

Pan Alive | August 3, 2018

Location:  Allan Lamport Stadium

Time: 7:00 p.m. – Midnight

Friday Night Mas’| August 3, 2018

Location:   Ontario Place

Time 9:00 p.m.  – Midnight