Vibrant costumes and unceasing, infectious rhythm are hallmarks of Toronto's Caribana Parade. The most well-known event of the Caribana Festival, the parade is just one more way that Toronto celebrates Caribbean culture for two weeks every summer. If you're not a fan of crowds the parade may not be the place for you, but if you are a fan of joyous dancing, beautiful displays of artistry, and pure, unadulterated celebration, then read on and get ready to have a whole lot of fun.
When:
In 2009, the Caribana Parade is taking place on Saturday August 1st between 10am and 6pm (although the party usually continues after the parade has ended).
As part one of the two-part grand finale of the Caribana Festival, the parade usually coincides with the August long weekend created by Simcoe Day.
Where:
The parade begins at the western end of Exhibition Place then continues west along Lakeshore Boulevard all the way to Parkside Drive - just south of High Park.
How to Get There:
If you want to go to Exhibition Grounds - the parade's starting place - you can take the GO Train directly to Exhibition Station. Or if you're taking the TTC there are four good options:
• 509 Streetcar west from Union Station
• 511 Streetcar south from Bathurst Station
• #29 bus south from Dufferin Station
• #193 Exhibition Rocket south from Dundas West Station
Why Not to Drive:
1. Things get very busy very quickly
2. Parking will run you between $10 and - much more likely - $25
3. Seriously, have you seen gas prices?
4. Lakeshore Boulevard will be closed from Strachan Avenue to Colborne Lodge Drive to accommodate the parade, which will make driving to Exhibition Place that much harder.
2. Parking will run you between $10 and - much more likely - $25
3. Seriously, have you seen gas prices?
4. Lakeshore Boulevard will be closed from Strachan Avenue to Colborne Lodge Drive to accommodate the parade, which will make driving to Exhibition Place that much harder.
Cost:
Finding a nice spot to stand (and dance!) along the parade route is free, but there's also a seating area available. Tickets for this section are $18 for adults or $15 for seniors and children if you buy in advance, $25/$20 if you buy at the door.
Buy your advance tickets online through the Caribana Festival website
Watch at Home :
If you can't make it out to the festival, you can also tune into CBC television for live coverage at 1pm, or check on CBC Newsworld for updates and snippets throughout the day.
More to Do:
For many the parade is the first thing they think of when they think of Caribana, but there's still a huge party at Ontario Place the day after the parade and plenty in the days and weeks leading up to it. Visit the Official Caribana Festival website to learn more about the rest of the festival.
