May 22, 2015 17:44 ET

MEDIA ALERT: Tuesday 11:30 -- Media Kick-Off for the 2015 Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - May 22, 2015) - The media is invited to join community leaders, Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival performers, sponsors, Federal, Provincial and City politicians at the official media launch for this year's Carnival on Tuesday, May 26 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ontario Science Centre.
WHAT:
The Festival Management Committee will host an event at which they will provide:

• Updates to the annual parade route by the Festival Management Committee
• An introduction of Pannist and Mas Model Raesha Sirois -- the new "Face of the Festival"
• A performance by The Chitans -- a family singing group that recently received the U.S. Congressional Award for work they have done on the streets of New York City.
• A performance by a Pan Group
• A performance by Calypso singer Roger Gibbs

WHY:Construction and TORONTO 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games events are impacting the Parade and several other events this year. We will announce changes at the press conference. There are also new events, themes and costumes on the parade route this year.
WHO:
Speakers from the Festival Management Committee, the Toronto Star, the Federal Government and the City of Toronto, the Provincial Minister Responsible for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Michael Coteau.
The Masters of Ceremony will be: Pooja Handa (CP24) and Andria Case (CFTO).
WHEN:Tuesday, May 26, 2015. 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
WHERE:
Great Hall, Ontario Science Centre. 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto, ON M3C 1T3
Free parking -- media please identify themselves at the parking kiosks.
For further information:Information about the programs and events, please visit the Festival Management Committee's official website at www.caribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue, Toronto. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: info@caribbeancarnival.com

Bahamian Junkanoo Legends perform at the airport

MEDIA ADVISORY - SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL EVENTS
Tuesday & Wednesday
Airport Greeting and Underground Railroad Ride on the Red Rocket

Date: TUESDAY, July 30, 3pm -5pm
Caribbean Carnival is coming to Toronto Pearson! In celebration of the 46^th annual event, on Tuesday, July 30 ^th, airport guests will experience some of the city's biggest celebration of all things Caribbean right in terminal! Here they will see some of the very best Caribbean culture has to offer, including music, dance, art and a moving parade to kick-off Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto .

Media and airport guests are invited to attend the fun-filled kick-off event taking place in Terminals 1 and 3 at Toronto Pearson (pre-security). Canadian calypso pioneer and Juno winner, the legendary "Pan Man Pat ", and the world renowned Bahamian Junkanoo Legends will perform and parade their way in true Caribbean style through the airport surprising guests.

1. Performance by world-renowned Bahamian Junkanoo Legends starts at Terminal 3 International Arrivals and will parade its way to Departures in Terminal 3 before heading over to Terminal 1.
2. Steel pan performance by legendary "Pan Man Pat " and his musical crew.
3. Parade of masqueraders will tour through both terminals to entertain departing and arriving guests as well as airport staff.
4. Caribbean-themed art exhibit on display in Terminal 1.
5. Interviews with Toronto Pearson, Caribbean Carnival representatives and performers.

“THE UNDERGROUND FREEDOM TRAIN”
Tuesday 11.15 pm to Wednesday midnight.

On Wednesday Itah Sadu (host of the Caribbean Carnival Gala and the Calyspo Monarch Competition) is leading a memorial subway ride to note the anniversary of the abolishment of slavery in the British Empire and the 100th anniversary of the death of  Harriet Tubman.

People wanting to take the ride should be at Union Station 11.15pm this Wednesday NIGHT. They will board a special car to DOWNSVIEW. Arriving just before midnight. At midnight they will mark the August 1st anniversary of the Emancipation of the Slaves of the Caribbean. The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834. Emancipation Day is widely observed in the Caribbean during the first week of August. In many countries the Emancipation Day celebration is a part of Carnival, as the Caribbean Carnival takes place at this time

Tubman was one of the driving forces of the Underground Railroad - bringing freed slaves to Canada. She lived for a number of years in St Catharines. She died  March 10, 1913.

This is how Itah Sadu describes the event:

 “THE UNDERGROUND FREEDOM TRAIN” WEDNESDAY JULY 31st, UNION STATION @ 11:15PM SHARP!

Journey with members of the Caribbean Canadian community on the underground from Union Station to Downsview Station as we usher in Emancipation Day! Get on board the FREEDOM TRAIN for a train ride with special performances, special guests and YOU! Assemble at the TICKET BOOTH @ UNION STATION for 11:15pm SHARP!

MEDIA ALERT: PARADE OF STUDENTS JUNE 14, TORONTO

PEACH, The York Centre For Education and Community and three high schools will be on the road this Friday taking a Walk of Excellence to York University

Students graduating from C. W. Jeffreys, Westview Centennial and Downsview Secondary Schools will be taking a “Walk of Excellence” to York University. Sponsored by Toronto's PEACH (Promoting Education and Community Help), The York Centre For Education and Community, York University and the Toronto District School Board, this first annual parade will celebrate the passage of age from high school to post secondary education for local youth. A group of Caribbean Carnival Parade Marshals will be volunteering their help and guiding over 300 students along their way.

Friday, June 14^th 11.00 am – 2.00 pm

June 13, 2013  (Toronto) – The media is invited to witness the first annual Walk of Excellence Parade. The parade brings together students, families, the school community and the wider community to walk, gather and witness a rite of passage as students take a symbolic walk to York University and begin the post-secondary phase of their lives.  The students will walk from the C.W. Jeffreys Collegiate Institute at 340 Sentinel Road (near Keele & Finch) to the Telus Centre, York University.

What:         15 Caribbean Carnival volunteers will join with other organizations and act as parade marshals during the Friday parade from C.W Jeffreys High School to the Telus Centre, York University.

Why:          Organizers expect over 300 students will be taking part in the assembly, parade and awards reception.

Who:        Students. Parents. Teachers. Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke. Media Supporters. Volunteers from the annual Caribbean Carnival Parade.
 

Best Photo Op:    Rain or Shine. The parade will travel north along Sentinel Road from the high school to the university. It is expected to take 40-minutes. Best visuals at Sentinel and Finch Avenue West. Students have been issued photo waivers.

When:        10 a.m.  Assembly at C.W Jeffreys School  11 a.m.  Expected start of parade along Sentinel Rd to York University   Noon – 12.30 p.m.  Presentation in Telus Centre.  Reception follows

Parade Contact:   Community Organizer Itah Sadu 647 - 521 7874

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For more information: Stephen Weir  Festival Publicist. Phone 416-489-5868 Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com