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Caribana Founded
In 1967, Caribana was established and seen as a gift from Canadian-Caribbeans. What started off as a small parade is now one of North-America’s largest cultural festivals. -
Miss America & Caribana
In 1984 celebrity guest Vanessa Williams, the first Black Miss America was invited to Caribana. -
Location Change
Caribana changes locations due to the fact that it needed wider streets for the parade and for viewers to be able to watch with a better view. This shows when the popularization of Caribana truly begins. -
Caribana goes Global
In 2004, the Hong Kong Board of tourism showed interest in Toronto’s Caribbean Festival. They requested for toronto to send over organizers, artists and more. This was a large step of globalizing the culture in which it represents. -
Renaming Caribana
In 2006, Caribana parted ways with the city of Toronto due to financial hardships. The festival was then sponsored by Scotiabank, renaming it to Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Festival. However, this partnership ended in 2011. -
Name Change
Caribana is given another name change, now the Caribbean Carnival -
From Emancipation to Celebration
In 2012, the ROM created an exhibition honouring Carnival and Caribbean-Canadian culture. This piece was called “Carnival From Emancipation to Celebration." -
Celebrity Support
Caribana continues to be a huge tourist attraction. Drake has been hosting OVO fest during Caribana times along with LeBron James hosting a party at Cabana Pool Bar. -
Support from Nike
Nike creates a new design of Air Forces to commemorate the cultural festival. -
Caribana vs. the Pandemic
Caribana is canceled for the first time due to the pandemic and risk of infection. There was an online adaptation for the year. -
the Return of Caribana
Caribana made a return, having much more meaning this year due to the pandemic and celebrating 55 years of freedom and culture.