Junior Carnival revellers bring taste of Caribbean to Scarborough parks

Young masqueraders danced and lit up Scarborough's MalvernandNeilsonparks with their bright, colourful costumes in the Toronto CaribbeanCarnival'sJunior Carnival Saturday afternoon.

The event, which featureskids wearing a series of elaborate costumes, is just one of many Caribbean Carnival celebrations leading up to thehighly anticipated Grand Parade on Aug.4.

Angelina Leach, 12, was dressed as a bedazzled blue butterfly while representing the Toronto RevellersMas Camp on Saturday. She said shehelped piece together her costume over two weeks.

Angelinatold CBC Toronto it's important for young people to get involved in their culture. She also explained what the event means for her.

"We walk down the street in our beautiful costumes, dance in front of the judges and just have fun," she said.

Malik Palmer, 16, wore a Black Panther-themed costume for Junior Carnival this year. He said he wasn't sure if he was too old to be in the eventbut thathe was glad he got to wear his costume.

"Everyone is having a great timeeveryone is happy. For once, you can forget about anything else that's going on and just have fun," he said.

Building the elaborate costumes can take a lot ofwork. Some festival revelers saidthey begancreating theircomplex and often heavy costumes asearly as March.

The enthusiasm from young people for the event may be encouraging for festival organizers who sayJuniorCarnival revelers are the future of the Caribbean Carnival.

"Young people are the future. We're getting older and we could like to have continuity with the carnival," said Chris Alexander, chief administrative officer of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival's Festival Management Committee.

"We would like to get the kids into leadership roles eventually, but now they should understand a part of their culture. In 1967, I was a guest, and now I host."

The Junior Carnival included cash prizes, bragging rights for the best costume, a junior chef competition, food vendors, an arts and craft market, games and live entertainment.

Saturday's diverse and inclusive event celebrated Caribbean cultureand its intricate contribution to Toronto. The Caribbean Carnival is in its51styear.