Wednesday 17 July 2013

MEDIA ALERT: North America’s largest Carnival Junior Parade

 

Saturday Junior Carnival & Family Day at the Downsview Park. 10.45 AM

Kids at Carnival Nationz show off the costumes that they will wear at the Kiddies Parad

 Toronto, ON, 17.07.2013: Families, carnival lovers, a steel band orchestra and corporate leaders from General Motors and Scotiabank will be attending the launch of the free Scotibank Caribbean Carnival Toronto’s Junior Carnival Parade.  The ribbon - cutting ceremony will take place at 10.45 on Saturday July 20th at the Downsview Park (Sheppard Ave / John Drury Drive) immediately following the parade of the costumed children there will be an event filled Family Day party!


Where:  The brief ribbon cutting ceremony will be at an easy-to-see tent located at the corner of John Drury Drive and Canuck Ave. The parade itself will travel from the William Baker Park on Robert Woodhead Crescent cross a bridge south over Sheppard Avenue to Canuck  Ave, left on John Drury Drive and ending on  Carl Hall Road for dispersal inside the Downsview Park.  The children will then take part in lunch, refreshments and free showcase concerts for the rest of the day.

When: Saturday, July 20th.  The opening ceremony begins at 10:45 am and the parade starts at 11:00 following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Family Day begins at 2:30pm and runs to 6 pm.

What: The Official ceremony begins at 10:45 with the Canada National Anthem played by the St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra. Government officials, and representatives from the title sponsor - Scotia Bank, the Junior Carnival presenting sponsor - Chevrolet and the Festival Management Committee will participate in the opening ceremony.  Up to 2,000 children in costumes representing 12 Mas Bands will take part in the parade. This is the largest Carnival children’s parade in North America.

Family Day: Family Day events include. Marketplace with lots of food, excitement for the children, including a Midway, Face Painting, and Caricatures.

Family Day Entertainment includes:

The Junior Steelband Showcase is sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Steelpan and will feature: Pan Fantasy Steel Orchestra, CCAH Steel Orchestra, Salah's Steelpan Academy and the St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra.

The Junior Calypso Showcase sponsored by Ontario Calypso Performers Association features: MC’s Young Rashida and B.J. Thornhill; Ngozi Trotma; Zavion Peters; DYC Drummers; Ashtina McDermott; Shanica Davis; Brittany Dardain and Jaeden Doyle-Marshall

Dance performances will be by Mabouya Dance Company, Roots and Branches and the Hummingbird Dancers of Oshawa.
 
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
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival
The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, and revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 46th 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, Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, The Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand

For media inquires:
Stephen Weir
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
Phone 416-489-5868 Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: 
Stephen@stephenweir.com
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