Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

Junior Carnival Parade Gets Adult Carnival Sized Numbers   By Stephen Weir The rain held off, the junior revelers wore beautiful costumes and the Junior Carnival Parade and Family Day notched the largest audience ever. The annual kiddies parade and family fair was held Saturday in Malvern and organizers are reporting a record turnout of spectators. “ We had about1, 800 children playing Mas on Saturday,” event organizer Eric Delfish told the Caribbean Camera. “In terms of spectator numbers, it could be more, but, I am going to stick with pegging it at 20,000 people. It was the largest turnout with many impressed first-timers coming out to cheer on the kiddies.” The parade kicked-off at 11am Saturday morning with an official opening ceremony at the Malvern Community Centre.  Toronto Mayor John Tory had the help of many Federal, Provincial and civic leaders to cut the ribbon and get the kids as young as 2-years old, out on the road. Among the dignitaries helping launch th

By Stephen Weir, photographs by Dan Moreland Wave after wave of junior masqueraders showed off their moves and their wildly colourful mas costumes to an audience of parents, friends and members of the press.   The Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s Junior Parade media launch was held indoors at the Malvern Town Centre mall over the lunch hour on Tuesday. Ahead the July 21 st Junior Carnival, a preview of costumes and performances was put on display for the cameras. The hour and half launch was a mixture of entertainment by young costumed revelers and speeches by adult politicians, sponsors and organizers giving the media information about four coming events for children taking part in the 2018 carnival. “ This year we really want to bring it back to the kids and to the families,” said Kevin Carrington, the MC for the media launch. “We have the Junior Carnival King and Queen Showcase taking place on stage at the Woodbine Centre in Etobicoke on July 15th (2:

It Was A Three for Three Junior Carnival Weekend By Stephen Weir  Photographs by Don Moreland It started Friday night and ended early Sunday evening. Three days. Three Junior Carnival costume launches. It all played out this past weekend in Scarborough. D’ New Regulars & Foreva Carnival, Venom Carnival and Epic Carnival held parties and costume shows for youngsters interested in taking part in the Junior Carnival Parade later this summer. About 50 parents and their children came to the Nugget Avenue Twilight Restaurant early Friday evening to see the junior costumes designed by D’New Regulars & Foreva Carnival. It was a free event – complete with food and face painting - to show children what costumes they could wear in the coming July 21 st Junior Carnival Parade in Malvern as part of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. The launch fashion show got off to a late start with about 20 children taking to the stage at 8pm just when the fete was suppose to end.   The kids

Cooking Up A Storm At The 2018 Toronto Junior Carnival By Stephen Weir   Children raise your spatulas. Get ready for the competition that will determine Canada’s top junior jerk chef! Grace Foods has put out the call for youngsters between the ages of 9 and 15 to don aprons and enter their annual summer cook-off.  There is a total of  $1,500 in prize money waiting to be won! “This is a really great experience for kids who have a love of food,” said Prize coordinator  Petronilla Marchan. “This is all about learning how to create tasty dishes using nourishing Caribbean ingredients." “This is a really great experience for kids who have a love of food,” said Prize coordinator  Petronilla Marchan. “This is all about learning how to create tasty dishes using nourishing Caribbean ingredients. “ The Jamaican food company says that it wants to provide a platform for aspiring young foodies to demonstrate their culinary skills and to promote a passion for healthy eating. “Th

WINNER OF THE BAND COMPETITION AT THE JUNIOR CARNIVAL Results from Saturday's Junior Carnival Parade. Just in case you missed my Tweet from the Junior Carnival Parade on Saturday. Carnival Nationz is the band of the year at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival's Junior Carnival Parade. Jamaal Magloire's Toronto Revellers place second. Third place went to Louis Saldenah's Mas K Camp. JUNIOR CARNIVAL QUEEN Results from Saturday's Junior Carnival Parade. The Junior Carnival Queen this year is Kaia Cassell, for her portrayal of The Carian …. Spirit Of The Bird People. She is with Carnival Nationz. The Nest. Second Place honours go to Caneisha Edwards for her portrayal of The Flamingo Queen. She is with Dexter Seusahai's Tribal Carnival. Paradise. Third Place honours were won by Madison Defreitas-Robinson for her portrayal of The Locust and The Warrior. She is with Louis Saldenah's Mas-K Club. Outta Africa. Fourth Place was taken by Mellissa Perry as Tlalte