Cynics Unlimited

Toronto Caribbean Carnival? No, everyone -from the carnival emcees to the media- still calls it Caribana. The main parade for North America’s largest Caribbean festival took place at Exhibition Place today and it was one hell of a party.

The weather could not have been more agreeable – sunny, not terribly humid (thanks to thunderstorms a few days prior) and a cool Lake Ontario breeze that flowed over heated revelers. That said, heat exhaustion and heat stroke were a very real risk (at one point my group scrambled to find a bottle of water for an elderly reveler who was on the verge of fainting) and so liquids were in great supply. For the most part the water was free, handed out by the bands … but of course there were enterprising minds who were willing to sell much colder water for a dollar.

Spectators had the choice of paying $15 to get into the preferred grounds (lined along the interior of the parade route, next to the major CNE buildings) or could otherwise jockey with the masses on the strip of land next to the harbor for a view of the action. A few clever individuals from the “free” side breached the security fence and got right into the parade action, dancing with the band participants and getting some choice photo/video.

Attendees were overwhelmingly familiar with the Soca music play list, which nearly mirrored that of the Trinidad Carnival in February. That and the skilled wining suggested a mostly Caribbean crowd (local, direct from the islands and visiting from America). The crowd was typically friendly and was there to party, not conflict. Police presence was moderate (mostly around the entrance) and relaxed. If there were any of the disputed security cameras at the parade I didn’t notice them and nobody else seemed vexed about the possibility of their existence. Compared to the Trinidad Carnival -which contained battalions of police, Special Forces and private security armed with semi-automatic weapons and muzzled Pit Bull Terriers- Canadian security was lightweight.

The costumes were colourful and detailed, some requiring wheeled support in order to be carried by one person. Costumes -the main attraction of the parade- take up to a year to create as most are done by hand. The audience comes to the parade looking for 2 other things: beats and the booty-shaking. I’m happy to report there was plenty of both – the music was jumping and pumping, with most band trucks producing enough sub-bass to shift furniture. Traditionalists (re: older people) were placated by the numerous steel pan bands and their uniquely pleasant orchestral rhythms. As for the booty … well you can see for yourself! Costumes were skimpy and shame was clearly on the back burner - that’s what we came to see.