• Messages from the Chair, CEO and General Manager
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Welcome to our New Look Newsletter!
We know it’s been a while since our last edition. We missed you, but we have been busy! We re-designed our newsletter and website to better showcase the carnival, our community, and what we do.
As you know, we are actively advocating for appropriate levels of funding from all levels of Government to continue bringing our beloved Carnival celebrations and other Caribbean cultural events to you. We are meeting with all levels of government and other stakeholders to ensure proper funding and opportunities to grow the Carnival and to continue supporting our community. We will keep you updated on our progress!
We are also getting ready for more Caribbean cultural activities and for the 2025 Carnival season.
On December 6-8, we will host the first-ever Caribbean Winterland Festival at Blue Mountain Resort. This is a family fun event, giving our community the opportunity to do something different, while still feeling at home with parang, soca, dancing, outdoor activities, food and drinks.
We are working with Red Stripe to offer our community the opportunity to win an amazing trip to Jamaica. Most importantly, we have started preparing for the 2025 Carnival season and would love to hear from you. Read on for more details!
To the Hindu and Caribbean community, Happy Diwali! We would love for you to send us your pictures so we can share in this celebration with you. May the light of Diwali live within all of us.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Hirlehey Executive Chair, Board of Directors for the Festival Management Committee (FMC) Producers of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Click here to Sign our Petition! https://www.torontocarnival.ca/petition
Carnival family, we have a lot going on, but we are working hard to grow and keep our Carnival alive. We are currently petitioning all levels of Government for adequate funding for our beloved Toronto Caribbean Carnival. We have received letters of support from our Mas Band Leaders, the Organization of Calypso Performing Artists, the Ontario Steelpan Association, important black and brown organizations such as, Black Vote Canada, Indo-Caribbean Canadian Association, organizations from corporate Canada, several consulate generals and community organizations. Every day, support for our cause grows by way of our petition.
For 57 years, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival has been a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture, uniting millions in the spirit of diversity and inclusion. What began as a gift to Toronto for Canada’s Centennial, is now North America’s largest cultural festival. We contribute close to half a billion dollars to Canada’s GDP, generating over 183 million dollars in tax revenues and supporting thousands of businesses, including small businesses in our community. We need your support in advocating for appropriate levels of funding.
Please Sign the Petition asking all levels of Government for adequate funding to keep our beloved Toronto Caribbean Carnival alive.
Visit our website torontocarnival.ca for more information.
Mischka Crichton CEO of the Festival Management Committee (FMC) Producers of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Win a Fabulous Trip for Two to Jamaica
Have you heard about Red Stripe Dream Getaway Contest? The contest is now open and runs till December 15th. 2024.
Just visit your local LCBO or grocery store, pick up a 6-pack of Red Stripe Lager and enter to win!
Participants will be required to provide their information including name, email address, and phone number for the chance to win a $5,000 RedTag. ca travel voucher applicable on a full vacation package to Jamaica (including flights).
Find out the exciting details at www.redtag.ca/Jamaica.
MESSAGE FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER Preparing for Our Events!
While we are working to secure appropriate funding, we are still doing the work of getting ready for and growing the Carnival. In December, we will be hosting our first ever Blue Mountain Caribbean Winterland!
So, Save the Date and Book Early at Blue Mountain Ski Resort - December 6-8 - for our 1st Caribbean Winterland!
Escape the cold and embrace the warmth of Caribbean culture as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival partners with Blue Mountain Ski Resort for this fun-filled family event featuring parang, soca, tassa, steelpan, and holiday cheer. Learn to ski, take pride in the spectacular display of our culture, and let’s party the weekend away.
On Friday, we begin with live parang. On Saturday, we have lined up exciting Caribbean performances throughout the day including steelpan, tassa and soca. As the sun sets, we will party the night away with Dr. Jay, the Soca Prince, and other special guests. If you have costumes from the carnival, bring them and wear them with pride!
Look out for more information on our website coming soon.
Adrian Charles General Manager of the Festival Management Committee (FMC) Producers of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Join Us for the First Ever Blue Mountain Caribbean Winterland Festival - December 6-8
Embrace the warmth of Caribbean culture, this Christmas, as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival partners with Blue Mountain Ski Resort for this free, fun-filled family event featuring parang, soca, tassa, steelpan, and holiday cheer. Enjoy the outdoors, take pride in the spectacular display of our culture, and let’s party the weekend away!
Friday, December 6, we begin with live parang.
Saturday, December 7, we have lined up exciting Caribbean performances throughout the day including steelpan, tassa and soca.
As the sun sets, we will party the night away with Dr. Jay de Soca Prince and other special guests.
Drive down for the day or stay at the Blue Mountain Resort and get a special 10% discount for our Caribbean Community.
Remember to bring along pieces of your carnival costume and wear them with pride!
Keep checking our social media for more details.
BIG UP TO THE 2024 WINNERS
We are so proud of our Carnival winners this year! Let’s give them another big shout-out!
• Band of the Year - Tribal Carnival, The Art of Mas by band leader Celena Seusahai
• King of the Bands - Anunnaki- The Merry Monarch- The Return of the King, played by Nicholas Guy of Saldenah Carnival
• Queen of the Bands - Queen of Fire and Ice, played by Celena Seusahai of Tribal Carniva
• Individual Male - Soaring Through Paradise, played by Adam Ali of Saldenah Carnival
• Individual Female - Goddess of Daybreak, played by Caneisha Edwards of Tribal Carnival
• Jr. Carnival Band of the Year - Tribal Carnival, by band leader Celena Seusahai
• Jr. King of the Year - The Protector, played by Nah’zye John of Lavway Mas
• Jr. Queen of the Year - Queen of the Thrones, played by Amaya Gopaul of Saldenah Carnival
• Calypso Monarch - King Cosmos AKA Henry Gomez, singing “Where Carnival Goin”
• Toronto Panorama Keepin’ Pan Alive winner - Pan Fantasy Steelband
On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and staff, we thank all mas bands, masqueraders, calypsonians, steelpan players, volunteers, vendors, suppliers, sponsors, government funders, visitors, supporters, and most importantly, you, our community members, for making this year’s Carnival one of the best yet!
