Who fuh Las lap?

Last years parade in Barrie

The lime by the beach at the end of the parade

This is a link to see our opinions on Barrie from last year

Yes folks, allyuh ready to go again?

I know it still have plenty of you, who thinking about going but not sure if it will be good, and
yuh worried it don't have enough Trinis in Barrie and people might watch you funny. Don't worry, we went last year and it was a real nice lime. The route is pretty short but the ending point is BEEESSSST. Its a really nice park right on the beach. And they have a stage set up with live music and plenty people selling good food and crafts. And they have a beer tent.

Plus, there was no Hamilton, so I think more people going to show up. So call your band or section leader and ask them if they making the trip. If they say no, ask them why not and mention that (insert band name here) is going, so what happen to them?

I know Saldenah is going and Barrie Masqueraders, Carnival Nationz, Callaloo
Mervyn Skeets Toronto Caribbean Connection and Nip Davis were there last year. I don't know who else is coming this year. Even if your band isn't coming, just bring your costume and fall in with somebody

Incase you never been to Barrie, here are directionsCentennial 75 Lakeshore Dr

Barrie, ON L4N 0A1

Get directions From Google Map

Directions to Main Stage for spectators:

From Toronto to Centennial Park, location of main stage:

1. North on HWY 400
2. Exit at Essa Rd.
3. Turn Right on Essa Rd. (heading north)
4. Turn Right at Tiffin St.
5. Turn Left onto Lakeshore Dr.
6. Follow to Centennial Park at 75 Lakeshore Dr. on the Right Side

Please note that these directions are how to get to the end of the parade route.... no, I'm not drunk. We learned last year its best to park at the end of the route and walk up to the start, that way when yuh finish parade and you liming for hours in the park, yuh cooler right THERE .... you see where I am going.

Ah nearly forget, bring a blanket and towel and ting incase you want to go for a swim, they have nice clean changing facilities.
Also, unlike Caribana, Barrie Caribfest is a very child friendly event, so feel free to walk with your little ones.

You can go to the website to get the rest of the directions, or you could just follow people with plastic cups in their hand walking from the park.

They say the parade starts at 12 noon.

So Hail us out if you are coming.

Memories of Hamilton

I'm really missing Hamilton Mardigras! Right about now, we'd be chippin down de road parading our mas, with spectators watching us.

Due to the heavy rain last year that poured down once we reached Bayfront Park, the bands couldn't go into the park. At the time, people were truly freeing up themselves in the rain and getting on real bad in the parking lot - but that rain came at a cost. All those vendors lost money. So carnival couldn't happen this year. Another signifigant reason why rain ruins a parade.

Anyway, we're left with many wonderful memories of Hamilton - what are yours?

Click here for more 2008 pictures.
Our first year going ('02), we didn't know we could wear our Caribana costumes & be in the parade. We followed the bands along Main St., thought it was perfect to end up in a park, and knew we'd be returning. So in 2003 we kept our costumes in tact and were officially a part of Mardigras. Needless to say, it was a much better time wearing costumes. We were hooked! Last year they switched the gathering spot from city hall to Wilson St. We walked around downtown trying to find the bands, and luckily Hamilton is small, so we eventually found everyone.

2007
Here are more 2007 pictures.

The parade gets bigger and bigger every year, with more bands participating and more masqueraders realizing it's only a 1 hour drive from Toronto. However, the feel of Hamilton Carnival is not like Caribana. Because there are no judges and stormers, there's no pressure. The vibe has remained positive, safe, and well, free.

2006

2005

2003

We certainly hope Hamilton carnival returns in 2010. Until then, remember you still get your las lap in Barrie next Saturday!

How was your on the road experience?

Firstly, I think I want to congratulate Carnival Nationz on re-capturing the band of the year title.

When we first arrived at the CNE we noticed a bunch of guys lined up with a lime-green construction fence, thinking it was revelers, we went over only to notice the In full bloom T-shirts. I'm sure the CNz masqueraders were happy to see that.

We played with Saldenah and had a good experience. We got onto the lakeshore about noon and were treated to a parade route that was almost free of non-masqueraders right up to the point where the lower barricades started to be used. It was a good time, everything ran smoothly, there was ample food and drinks and I didn't see any issues.

I think we have to big up the festival organizers for the strides that they made in crowd control this year. It wasn't until maybe 3 or 4pm that I noticed that more people had made their way into the area protected by the taller fences. Even then, it seemed better than previous years. I think they did a pretty good job.

We didn't really see too many other bands on the road, (we came back down the road a second time... mostly with a steelband) so I don't really know what other people thought, but I haven't heard too many complaints.
I have heard a lot of spectators complain about the fences.... hopefully it will encourage some of them to join the ranks of masqueraders
So if you care to share your experiences and big up your band for what they did right, please leave a comment and let us know how you felt about your Caribana 2009.

On De Road!

How was your Carib2kwine?? Ours was fine! The night before we were at Harbourfront for Roy Cape and Shadow, so we didn't have the usual late night & rough morning.
We met up with Saldenah at about 11:30, and as predicted, we crossed the stage at noon, 12:10 to be exact. Again like in '07, we got to the end of the parade route without any stormers!!!

We also jumped up with Tribal Knights, Toronto Revellers and Callaloo. There were some stormers in those bands, but not a massive sea of people when we were with them. Revellers didn't have the fence this year, Carnival Nationz did, & it was green.

We didn't see Carnival Nationz, Fantasia, or All Spice on the road, although we saw some CNz masqueraders along the route with other bands.

Kees

love the boots!

The Tembu Warriors section was given lunch (chicken, rice, salad) towards the end of the route. Then our truck with beverages (coconut water & mango juice) found us. Trini-in-Toronto is pleased to report that his 4 years with no food spell is over, he got lunch this year!!

So how were your treated by your band/section on the road, did they feed & water you? What was new this year to improve upon the stormer situation, was this gate towards the end.

Police were stationed there and supposed to be allowing only masqueraders out to continue to the end of the route. There were plenty of annoyed non costumed people, and at one point when we were there, we were going to head back up the road, but couldn't as they were expecting the crowd to cooperate & get out of the way so they could let the waiting band through. We just walked through the CNE grounds, man, the crowds were too slow moving for me, but at least there was no line up for the port-a-potty I found.

Was security as a whole better this year? Perhaps - what are your thoughts? What band were you in, when did you cross the stage, and at what point in the parade or at what time did stormers infiltrate your band?
I did see the no-fear head of Caribana security forcibly put two women out, and I suspect that's what his day was filled with.

Masqueraders who would like your pictures posted, I'd like to display a slide show, so you can email me your pictures: karabana01@yahoo.ca

Another Caribana over too fast! See you for our last lap at Barrie's Caribfest, August 15th!