A Caribbean festival is debuting in London next weekend, giving the city a chance to experience the islands without actually flying south.
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A Caribbean festival is debuting in London next weekend, giving the city a chance to experience the islands without actually flying south.
Carnival London, set to take place at Victoria Park from July 26 to 28, is more than an event, it’s a celebration, said organizer Lauri Morrison.
“This (festival) shares a part of our history and culture with people. It’s a way for us (Caribbean people) to express our emancipation and freedom from slavery,” said Morrison, who’s also behind two other seasonal festivals in the city with her partner Cahmal Morrison.
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The Carnival idea was born from a fusion between Summah Sizzle, a block party that emerged last year celebrating diversity and music, and Winter Dung Ah Town Festival, launched in 2022 to support artists and businesses from Black, Indigenous, and people-of-colour communities. Both take place on Market Lane, off Dundas Place.
“People (attending the events) were asking for more,” Morrison said. “Those (festivals) have been building and leading up to Carnival London.”
Creating the festival was something Morrison felt she needed to do to bring together London’s growing Caribbean community, which was looking for more representation in the city, she said. “We’re putting it on to keep in touch with our roots.”
She sees it as a small-scale version of Toronto’s Caribana mega-event.
Morrison, who gave birth to her first child, Axel, only three months ago, hopes to continue the festival for the next generation of Caribbeans in London. She’s working with city officials on a five-year plan to grow the event and turn it into a big parade.
“This (festival) is something for him to remember,” she said of her baby, adding tourism officials from her home country, Antigua and Barbuda, are sponsoring the event. “It’s big enough to grow into something worthwhile.”
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More than 1,100 people have pre-registered for the festival, she said, and guaranteed their free goodie bags filled with items from sponsors and vendors.
An optional VIP experience, which can be purchased with a separate ticket for $150, gives attendees exclusive access to festival areas for a “premium carnival experience.” That also includes another goodie bag with drink and food tickets and a personalized Carnival T-shirt.
Caribbean culture will be showcased all over Victoria Park, with more than 14 performances, a lot of Soca music – which has influences of African and East Indian beats – dances, 20 food vendors, and artisans.
To buy tickets, click here.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Here’s a bit of what will happen next weekend at the park, and a full lineup should be coming this week:
Friday, July 26
People wearing T-shirts of all colours and traditional Carnival costumes – feel free to bring your own – will parade and celebrate There will be live performances.
Saturday, July 27
Adult parade takes over with more performances.
Sunday, July 28
There will be a “Kiddies Mass” parade in the morning and Jouvert, a traditional Carnival celebration, will continue until the end of the day.
CARNIVAL LONDON
What: Carnival London
When: July 26-28, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Victoria Park
Tickets and more information: Online at Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/carnivallondon-2024-unleashing-cultural-magic-come-dance-to-the-rythms-tickets-796043416287
Optional: VIP experience, exclusive access to VIP areas for a premium carnival experience.
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