Caribfest in Barrie

Well yes,

Its official, an investment in a Caribana costume is absolutely the best value in terms of any carnival anywhere. What other carnival costume gives you 3 separate opportunities to play mas all within one hour drive of each other. For about $150 you get to play Mas in Toronto, Hamilton and now BARRIE ONTARIO!!!!

I know, I know, you are thinking to yourself, it have no trinis in Barrie?, well I don't know about all that, but Barrie carnival was a REAL!!! sweet Lime.
True, the parade was small, but this is only their 2nd year, and they did really well. The following bands took part in the parade:

Barrie Masqueraders
Carnival Nationz
Calaloo
Mervyn Skeets Toronto Caribbean Connection
Nip Davis

It was real nice, all these Barrie residents came out and lined the streets and clapped and took pictures and ting. I felt like a front line H.O. People stopping me to pose for pictures with them... really they wanted to pose with Karabana, but Barrie people are polite, so they took my picture too.
And the best thing is the parade ends right at Centennial park (the beach). Next year I walking with my towel for sure. Beautiful place, yuh limin on the beach, soca blasted, yuh smelling fry fish and curry and jerk and people just chillin.

This is my first trip to Barrie (a cool 45 minute drive from home). Barrie is a very nice place and I felt really welcome. Especially, the police were real cool, we are in the middle of the people downtown, they set up an area in the park with lots of vendors and food and a stage. They had a big beer tent and live bands are scheduled to perform until 10'oclock at night. It was a really nice atmosphere.
Do you think they let us party on the Lakeshore at 10pm in Toronto?..... I think not.

All I could say is, we have to support this event, the more masqueraders who make the trip, the better it will get. I'm not missing it next year at all.

I like fried fish a lot

Actually, I never realized that Barrie was so close and so nice, I'm thinking next time we are planning a beach lime, we will head to Barrie to take a swim and chill on a beach.

Till next time laters.

Caribfest

For another Caribbean parade also just one hour from TO, check out Barrie's Caribfest. This two day festival starts with the parade at 1:00, has rock, samba, reggae, calypso, steel pan and soca musicians who will be performing, including Moses Revolution, and on Sunday, a Caribbean Beach Party.
Toronto mas bands took part in Caribfest's first year (last year), and more should be participating this time.
The weather will be good, 26° & only 20% chance of rain ;-) so it should be a good time. I'd like to hear from anyone who goes.

Finally!!! Hamilton Mardis Gras pics

Hamilton Carnival 2008

I have to say that we had an outstanding time in Hamilton. It was real fun. They moved the staging area from City Hall. Luckily, downtown Hamilton is pretty small, so it was small ting we found it. It started a little late (I feel its because there was a big accident on the hwy that delayed people coming from Toronto… also, some folks probably went to city hall first. Once we started rolling, we had a really nice time. Carnival Nationz masqueraders were treated to an EXCEPTIONALLY well stocked drink truck :) VERY impressive and much appreciated.
Lets take a picture before we start it!






See how the feathers stood up well after the Caribana storm? Well done Janinne and Bryce.

He eat until he stomach upset, and I .............


The costume Karabana didn't play in from Tribal Knights

Model boy from the band launch & website

Pretty good shot eh?

She TOOOO sweet.

I really liked the smaller crowds, we saw plenty people that we missed at Caribana. Hence, we took a whole heap of pictures.

Look me in mih eye when ah wining

Aye, ~V~ reach

Bullion & Baubles Section leader Denise

If you don't know this guy, yuh still wet behind the ears in the Toronto fete scene.

She look like she was having sooo much fun

Cutie

Another Blog reader Karabana met

Our Saldenah peeps

Ross, Karabana thanks you for the compliment

You see how most of the spectators stay on the side in Hamilton without barricades or security

Another Anon Blog reader.... definitely a front line H.O. Yuh bettah recognize!

Saldenah's Fire Coral

Mih partner posing with yet another young lady

You have to love this man makeup man

They gave us this energy drink called Bullet... had many, featured in most of these pics, hah

We stopped in an internet cafe to use the facilities, and look what Karabana found...
Warrior chic

Mr and Mrs Bootsman

Michanon looking fabulous!!

Mervyn ... band leader of Toronto Caribbean Connection

The barman is a good man to know

Pirate Prisoner

The rain held off until we had pretty much finished the route, About 3pm it started to rain and it was pretty cold also. Instead of putting a damper on the party, I think it created a more lively atmosphere. Usually, when the band reaches Bay front park, revelers go into the park, the music trucks shut down and the park DJ takes over. People scatter around the park lining up for food and washrooms and nobody really paying attention to the music. Certainly, nobody is throwin waist like crazy at 4pm in the park.

Because of the heavy rain and mud, the music truck stayed outside the venue and just continued to play music and people gathered around the truck and were jumping up in the pouring rain. It was a really fun spontaneous vibes.

I think the vendors inside got hit really hard by the rain, I don’t imagine too many people made it into the park. Hopefully, later in the evening they made some money.

These are pics of people partying outside the park

See? men never get on so bad inside the park

After Karabana get bathe down in the rain

We met quite a few blog readers, and it was a pleasure to meet everyone.

True Hamilton is tiny compared to Caribana, but if you just have to measure masquerader enjoyment, I must say, I have as good a time in Hamilton as I do in Caribana. Some people tell me they even look forward to Hamilton more. It reminds me of a Monday Mas in Trinidad.

I guess this might be my last post for the season, so I just want to say thanks to everybody who checks in regularly and we wish you all prosperity and hope you stay safe and happy till next year.

Laters