Kevin Williams, president of GM to kick off junior carnival parade at 11.02

President of General Motors to cut ribbon

Community Leaders Will Come Out To Launch Saturday’s: Junior Carnival & Family Day at the new Downsview Park

Toronto, ON, 19.07.2012:  An all-star line-up of politicians and corporate Canada leaders will be attending the launch of the free Scotibank Caribbean Carnival Toronto’s Junior Carnival Parade.  Confirmed to attend the 10.45 ribbon cutting ceremony is Kevin Williams the president of General Motors Canada. He is to be joined by Mark Adler, MP York Centre, Michael Coteau, MPP Don Valley East, Councillor Maria Augimeri, Ward 9, York Centre, members of the Festival Management Committee and Scotibank.

Where:  The brief ribbon cutting ceremony will be at a tent adjacent to 35 Carl Hall Road, past the Downsview Administration Building.  The parade itself will travel from Canuck Avenue, to John Drury Drive, across Sheppard Ave to Robert Woodhead Crescent and back into Downsview Park.

When: Saturday, July 21st.  The opening ceremony begins at 10:45 am and the parade starts at 11:00 following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Family Day begins at 2pm and runs to 8 pm.

General Motors Canada (GM) is the new corporate sponsor for the 2012 Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Junior Carnival Parade and Family Day.  The event, which will see thousands of children in Mas costume taking part in the annual kiddies parade, followed by a Family Day party.  There are two guest bands and 13 Masquerade Bands with 2,250 kids participating in the parade. 

Junior Carnival Parade and Family Day is an integral part of the 3-week Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade. “ The children of today are the people that will be running our festival in years to come, so it is vital that we get youngsters enthused about playing Mas,” explained Chris Alexander, the festival CAO. “ The generous support of Chevy / GM guarantees that the traditions of Carnival will continue to be passed onto the youth of Toronto.”

Children as young as 6-months old take part in the parade.  This year over 2,000 youngsters have registered with 15 Mas Camps to dance along the streets around Downsview Park. Parents and Spectators will swell the size of the event to over 5,000 people.  This year it will be the largest children’s carnival parade in North America. A Family Day Party follows the Parade.  The Parade will begin at 10.45 am and is expected to end by 2pm. Family Day ends at 7pm.

General Motors is the new corporate sponsor of the free Junior Carnival Parade.  The Canadian car company will also be sponsoring the King and Queen Competition and Show, Presented by Chevrolet Thu. Aug. 02, 2012 at Allan Lamport Stadium. GM joins Scotiabank, the Children’s Breakfast Club and the Toronto Police in supporting the junior parade and family day.

General Motors (Canada)

Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL) employs over 10,000 people across the country and is a recognized leader in green manufacturing.  GMCL markets the full range of fuel-efficient Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles and related services through Canada's largest automotive dealer network, which employs over 23,000 people dedicated to delivering a top customer experience. GMCL also plays a leadership role in automotive design and engineering, engaging in innovative research and development partnerships with leading Canadian universities and research institutes. In addition, through its Canadian Engineering Centres, GMCL conducts development activities ranging from cold weather testing to the advancement of key electric vehicle and green technologies. More information regarding GMCL models can be found at www.gm.ca, or by following @GMCanada on Twitter.  

About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

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 45th 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 oversees the running of North America’s largest outdoor festival.

Corporate sponsors of this year’s festival include: Scotiabank, General Motors, The Toronto Star, Sway Magazine, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, WinTV, WinRadio, El Dorado Rum, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Ontario Place, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Liberty Grand, and Grace Kennedy Foods.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is NOW located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: info@ torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

For further information, contact:

Stephen Weir, Festival Publicist | Phone 416-489-5868 | Cell: 416-801-3101 | Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Darling Nicky, Cultural Liaison | Cell: 905-399-5322 | Email: darlingnicky.ca@gmail.com