| Probably the biggest street parade in Ontario, maybe | | | | entrance fee. To enter Exhibition Place, for example, |
| Canada, is Caribana Toronto. Started in 1967 as a | | | | the collection point for the floats and costumed |
| way for folks from Trinidad and Tobago to re-live the | | | | paraders, costs about $25. |
| carnivals they enjoyed 'back home'. Caribana has | | | | It pays to arrive early if you want a good view |
| grown steadily since to embrace aspects of all the | | | | because the front rows along each side of the road |
| Caribbean islands' cultures. | | | | quickly fill up. The south (lake) side is more accessible |
| The Toronto Caribana parade lasts from about noon | | | | with a long unbroken view. Unfortunately, it has a high |
| to four or five in the afternoon, with colourfully | | | | mesh fence to stop unruly spectators spontaneously |
| costumed dancers and floats of many sizes, shapes | | | | joining in the festivities, this is Canada after all and we |
| and colours but all with a Caribbean feel or theme. | | | | must have order! Once the south side has filled up, and |
| Colour, music and rhythm are the order of the day and, | | | | folks are two or three rows deep along the fence, you |
| as you watch the parade on a hot July or August | | | | can't see anything because there's no higher vantage |
| Toronto summer day, with the blue sky and Lake | | | | point. The north side has trees and buildings along the |
| Ontario as a backdrop, you can almost imagine | | | | route and isn't as accessible as the south but it makes |
| yourself in the Caribbean. | | | | up for that by having a bank to sit on (or stand on |
| The parade makes its way from Exhibition Place, just | | | | when it becomes crowded) so you can see over the |
| west of the downtown core, and along Lakeshore | | | | people pressed up against the fence. |
| Boulevard before returning to the start along quieter | | | | Here's a page to help you get a feel for the party |
| streets. As with most festivals, the parade itself is free | | | | atmosphere - Caribana Photos. |
| to watch and only the events around it have an | | | | |