Scotiabank Caribana 2009 is set to receive significant funding from Federal Government
June 12, 2009 (Toronto) – At a Westin Harbour Castle Hotel morning press conference, Scotiabank Caribana and the Federal Government announced that the festival is receiving a $416,000 contribution from the Government of Canada. The announcement was made by the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas) and Joe Halstead, Chairman of the Festival Management Committee, Scotiabank Caribana Festival.
Peter Kent, MP for the riding of Thornhill, Ontario explained to the media that the $416,000 contribution to this year’s Scotiabank Caribana Festival is coming from the Federal Government’s Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP).
"We are very pleased to receive the support of the Government of Canada for our festival. In general terms, it is an investment in our community," said Joe Halstead, Chairman, Festival Management Committee, Scotiabank Caribana. "It will afford us the opportunity, not only to better market the festival in Canada, the US and internationally, but also provide enhanced programming, and therefore bring about a stronger tourism sector for Canada."
At the press conference, Mr. Halstead explained that the Marquee Tourism Events Program funding will make it possible to enhance the festival's marketing efforts both nationally and internationally, as well as to introduce new and enhanced programming. This will serve to facilitate a richer tourist experience during the festival season.
The Festival Management Committee will use a portion of the funds to support Feel de Vibe of Carnival Spirit and Mini Caribana Villages. These programs include the development of information kiosks at tourist 'hotspots;' giving the festival an opportunity for performers to entertain the public as they enjoy the parade.
Although the Federal Government has long been a supporter of the annual festival, the size of the grant announced today is over four times larger than last year’s allotment.
Corporate sponsors of this year’s festival include:CTV, CP24 Toronto's Breaking News, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, Scotiabank, Research In Motion (RIM)/BlackBerry, State Farm Insurance, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Royal Ontario Museum, Liberty Grand, Westin Harbour Castle, Ed Mirvish, The Toronto Sun, CFRB, Sway Magazine, Toronto-Lime.Com, and the Caribana™ Arts Group. More company names are expected to be added soon.
Large crowds are expected as more GTA residents migrate toward the city during the summer, along with long-time festival fans in US border states that traditionally attend in large numbers as the festival is an affordable vacation destination in the middle of the summer heat.
CUTLINES:
TOP MP Peter Kent
BOTTOM - Minister Kent with costumed Mas dancers following the Friday morning press conference. Photo by Sandi Destonis Photographer Copyrt09
About Scotiabank Caribana
The Scotiabank Caribana Festival is an exciting two-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 42nd year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Caribana 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, and Steel Pan music.
The Festival Management Committee oversees the running of North America’s largest outdoor festival. This year the Official Launch for the Festival will take place at Noon on Tuesday July 14. The main parade will be staged Saturday, August 1, 2009; 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. For a complete listing information, visit www.caribanafestival.com
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Scotiabank Caribana 2009 Festival Office is located at 263 Davenport Avenue, Lower Level; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: info@caribanafestival.com
Stephen Weir Alicia Sealey
Publicist Publicist
Tel: 416-489-5868 or 416-801-3101 Tel: 416-599-0644
Fax: 416-488-6518 Fax: 416-599-5056
Email: stephen@stephenweir.com Email: atchp@the-wire.com
