Carivibe event returns to Petrie Island

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

The Carivibe festival returns to Petrie Island this weekend for the first time in five years.

That’s a long time to wait for anything, but it’s been especially long for fans of Caribbean music, tropical food and summer vibes. The Reach the Beach event features all three.

The last time the Carivibe “Reach the Beach” event was held on Petrie Island was in July 2018. In 2019, severe flooding on Petrie Island forced the organizers to move the event to the Orléans Festival Plaza on Centrum Blvd.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the festival in 2020 and 2021, and last year it had to be scaled down Organizer Trevor Mason says fans of the festival can expect to find the same high-energy music and fun-filled activities they’ve enjoyed in years past.

The festivities will get underway at noon with the opening of the children’s area, the food concessions and the adult beverage tent. The music and dancing will also start at noon with a mix of Soca, Dance Hall, Reggae and Afro beats.

Among the DJs who will be providing the music to jump and wind on the beach are former Canadian Soca DJ of the Year, Soca Sweetness; “Voice of the Vibe” Kid Kut from Toronto; Carnival Bae and Dj Tytus.

Tickets are $25 for individuals 12 and over, while children under 12 will be admitted for free. You can also purchase an all-event weekend pass for $55, which will get you into the other Carivibe events such as the J’Ouvert on York party at The 27 Club at 27 York St. on Friday night and the Bam Bam Block Party which gets underway at Mexicali

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