Caribbean Carnival triumphantly returns to Toronto streets
Global News
The costumes and festivities from the Caribbean Carnival are back along Lake Shore Boulevard West after a two-year hiatus forced by COVID-19.
For Natasha Pierre, the colours and costumes of Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival represent long-awaited freedom following years of pandemic restrictions and cancellations.
“The costumes are freedom, this is freedom through two years of rough pandemic,” she told Global News. “So let’s celebrate again.”
The costumes and festivities from the Caribbean Carnival are back on Lake Shore Boulevard West after a two-year hiatus.
The 2022 celebration, attended by thousands of party-goers, marks the 55th such event. It is one of many festivals that have returned this summer, including The Taste of Little Italy and Pride.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said the event is an important part of the city’s appeal as a diverse and multicultural place to live.
“It’s important in this city that we understand each other’s backgrounds and celebrate everything we’ve got going on here,” Tory said. “And I hope as well that they take away this is a great place to live.”
The festival is a large tourist attraction for Toronto with many attendees travelling to the city from across North America to celebrate the festival’s return.
Felicia Williams, who travelled to Toronto from Alabama to attend her first Carnival said “it means the world” to be able to celebrate different cultures and races at the festival after the hiatus.