Thursday 28 July 2011

THIS SUNDAY: Inaugural Caribbean Carnival Rugby Cup

SCOTIABANK TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL - NEW EVENT, RUGBY THIS SUNDAY, THE CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CUP - FLETCHER'S FIELD

"Canada Rugby League is introducing sporting culture to the already massive ScotiaBank Caribbean Carnival. Canada Rugby League is proud to be the first and only official sporting partner of this festival. “I believe that the addition of Rugby League to the Caribbean Festival means that more than ever, there is something for everyone at this diverse celebration of culture.” Said Cory Tukeli, President of the Canada Rugby League.

On Suday July 31st, CRL Presents the Inaugural Caribbean Carnival Cup. Kickoff between Team Canada Wolverines and the Jamaican National team begins at 3:30pm. Gates at Fletcher’s Field open at 2pm with food vendors, a Cool Zone, activities and a live DJ. The facility is located at 2743 16th Ave in Markham, close to Woodbine Ave., extending the Caribbean Festival to this part of the GTA for the first time.

This matchup promises to bring heated Rugby League action to the festival, due to the fierce rivalry developed between the Team Canada Wolverines and the Jamaican Nationals at the Atlantic Cup and other competitions. Find out more about this exciting, historic event atTorontoCaribbeanCarnival.com and CanadaRugbyLeague.com, home of Canada Rugby League and the Team Canada Wolverines."

Cutline: Cory Tukeli announces the new Rugby Cup at the offical launch of the Festival in Toronto.



Stephen Weir
Festival publicist | stephen@stephenweir.com
or sweir5492@rogers.com
2482 Yonge Street, Unit 45032, Toronto, ONT.
CANADA. M4P 3E3
Tel: 416-489-5868 | CELL: 416-801-3101
www.stephenweir.com

MEDIA ALERT: BIG COSTUMES, KING AND QUEEN COMPETITION TONIGHT

MEDIA ALERT

MINISTER OF TOURISM & CULTURE TO OPEN KING & QUEEN COMPETITION
Honourable Lisa Raitt and Tim Hudak

Thursday, July 28th 2011
7 pm – 12 Midnight
The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival
King & Queen Competition
At Lamport Stadium on Thursday, July 30th

Last year the event was sold out. Big, big crowd expected

What: Ontario Minister of Tourism and Culture, Michael Chan, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, MP Joe Daniel, MPP Jim Karygiannis, MPP Tim Hudak, (Official Opposition Leader in the Provincial House), City Councillor Joe Mihevc and Councillor Michael Thompson will officially open Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival's King and Queen Competition, outdoors at Lamport Stadium.

At the King and Queen competition, costumes, sometimes 20-40 ft high will be paraded in front of a panel of judges so that the King and Queen of this year’s festival can be chosen. These grand costumes take hundreds of hours to design and build, and cost thousands of dollars to produce. Each band must portray a theme that is suitable of the carnival tradition, and each of the costumes competing at this show must convey this theme in a standout, grand way. Ticket info: www.torontocaribbeanfestival.com

Why: This signature show is a sit-down, family event affording its audience an unencumbered opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship of these elaborate costumes before they hit the streets for the 44th annual Parade on Saturday, July 30th. The evening includes Caribbean food, arts and crafts vendors, licensed bar

Who: All of the official 16 competing, 2011 masquerade (or mas) bands make presentations in the following categories hoping to win any of the following titles: King of the Bands, Queen of the Bands, Male Individual of the Year, and Female Individual of the Year. Ontario Science Centre to judge the costumes on the science used in their construction for a special OSC Award.

Other Confirmed Politicians:

· Federal Minister Lisa Raitt

· MP Joe Daniel, (PC)

· MP Jim Karygiannis, (Lib)

· MPP Tim Hudak, Official Opposition leader

· Councillor Joe Mihevc

Councillor Michael Thompson

When: Opening ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. sharp. Due to city bylaws, the competition MUST end before midnight. Event runs rain or shine.

Where: Lamport Stadium, 1155 King Street West,Toronto.

Photo Information: Me and Michael Chan.


Media Contact
Stephen Weir, Publicist
Email: stephen@stephenweir.com
Tel: (416) 489-5868 Cell: (416) 801-3101

Bleacher Seats Added, But Parade, As Always, Is FREE

20,000 Ready to Keep on Jumpin’ this Saturday
Toronto July 28 … Fresh on the heels of a highly successful Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival (STCC) Yorkgate Mall Children’s Parade, organizers have announced improvements and a route change to the FREE Big July 30th parade. And, indications are that the will involve a record number of costumed dancers and a record number of people in the stands!
“The Mas Camps are now open, and, according to the Toronto Mas Bands Association, people are lining up to purchase costumes and commit to the big event,” said Festival CEO, Denise Herrera-Jackson. “The route is being expanded to allow more dancers on the road at one time. We expect close to 20,000 people on the route this summer and over 1.2 million people lining Lakeshore to watch them play Mas!”
In addition to changing the route of the parade, STCC is adding a market area, rides, and food, merchandise vendor and paid seating to accommodate up to 30,000 spectators. There is still no charge to observe the parade along the western end of the route. Most of the new seating is near the expanded parade route and does NOT infringe on traditional free viewing areas.
“ We worked with the Toronto Mas Band Association to improve the parade route,” said Chris Alexander, the festivals CFO. “We will start the parade heading east inside the CNE grounds and then head south at the Automotive Building before heading west onto Lakeshore Blvd near the entrance to Ontario Place. This will ensure that all bands will make it onto the parade route this year and there will be seating for anyone who wants to see the parade in comfort.”
The parade will start on the CNE grounds, south of the BMO field. From the BMO field the parade heads east towards the Princess Gates. At the Automotive Building (now called the All Stream Centre) the route turns south to Lakeshore Blvd.
At Lakeshore Blvd the parade route points west, towards its traditional route. Just after the Mas Bands enter Lakeshore they will pass the new Judges stand where they will perform their routines. After leaving the Review Stand the bands will head west in a Road March parade mode.
Near the Judges stand there will be a VIP section where spectators can purchase individual tents for companies and families and friends. They can also be part of the very large VIP tent. Price for the individual tents are $150 and VIPs paying $50 each can purchase that tent for a group.
The bleacher seats near the BMO field are $15 each and the rest of the parade route is free. Seating can be purchased at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

About the Festival:

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 44th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Carnival is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. The Festival Management Committee is responsible for the managing and staging of North America’s largest outdoor festival.
Corporate sponsors of this year's festival include: Scotiabank, The Toronto Star, Sway Magazine, The Grid, CTV, CP24, Urbanology, FLOW The Federal Government of Canada, The Province of Ontario, The City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, Mobilicity, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Ontario Place, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Libraries, Yorkgate Mall, Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex & Liberty Entertainment Group, The Caribbean Camera Newspaper, Toronto-Lime.Com, and GraceKennedy (Ontario) Inc.
For more information about the programs and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Office is located at 263 Davenport Avenue, Lower Level; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5R 1E9. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com
Cutline: Chief Bill Blair and Mas Models at the recently held official launch of the Parade.