New location for Island lime

Mon Jul. 20 2009 6:05:53 PM

Caribana concert moved to Ontario Place due to canceled ferry service

Web Staff, cp24.com

Revellers show off their costumes at the launch of Scotiabank Caribana 2009 at Yonge-Dundas Square on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (CP24/Saira Peesker)

Scotiabank Caribana's annual Sunday concert, formerly known as Island Weekend, is moving to the mainland this year due to the municipal workers strike that has put ferry services on hold.

Scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 2, "De Scotiabank Caribana Lime" concert and cultural celebration will now unfold at Ontario Place instead of its usual spot on Olympic Island.

Events will be scattered through the provincially-sponsored park, but will focus on the East Island in the Heritage Square area of the grounds due to its abundance of stages and outdoor venues.

"We really want to do whatever we can to support tourism in the city, so it was easy," said Ontario Place spokesperson Terry Caddo, referring to the decision to host the event on such short notice.

All of the acts originally scheduled to appear on the island will be present at the Ontario Place event. The entry cost will be $14, as opposed to the originally planned $10 entry and $5 ferry fee for the island event.

The location change comes as the city workers strike that has affected services including garbage collection, child care and ferry service drags into its fifth week.

The concert is not the only Caribana event whose location has been put in jeopardy due to the strike. Despite concerns with holding events at city-run facilities, organizers now say the Pan Alive and King and Queen events will go ahead at Lamport Stadium as planned.

The city-owned stadium is located near King and Dufferin Streets. Pan Alive is scheduled Friday, July 31, while the king and queen event is set for Thursday, July 30.

The trademark Saturday, Aug 1 parade along Lake Shore Boulevard will proceed as planned. The city has assured Caribana organizers that there will be garbage pick-up and EMS on hand, much like it did for the Pride Festival in June.