The Toronto Police Service announced the arrival of carnival season last Thursday morning with the 33rd Annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Kick-Off Celebration. The event, which included a media conference, took place at the Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre.

In partnership with the Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre, the Toronto Police Service hosted the celebration and children’s parade at 86 Blake Street and the neighbouring Kempton Howard Park. This year’s theme was “It Takes a Village.”

Chief Myron Demkiw was joined by Toronto Police Service Board Chair Ann Morgan, as well as dignitaries and members of community organizations, who addressed the media and the children. The event was emceed by television host Akil Augustine.

After the remarks, the Mwendo Dance Group performed, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Chief Demkiw and Akil Augustine then led the children’s parade along a route from Kempton Howard Park to the Blake Housing Complex and back to Kempton Howard Park.

The police emphasized that the Toronto Caribbean Carnival celebrates the cultural heritage and diversity of people from the Caribbean and the vibrant spirit they bring to Canadian culture. The parade concluded at approximately 12:15 p.m. at what used to be called Eastview Park. The park was renamed in 2007 in honor of Kempton Howard, a local resident and youth worker who was tragically killed.