For the first time in over 50 years, the 2020 Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly Caribana, has been cancelled owing to issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers have said.
A statement released by the organizers said: “The Board of Directors of the Festival Management Committee has decided that due to the continued developments concerning the spread of COVID-19, the severe public health threat, and global health crisis, the month-long events held in July-August is cancelled.”
The events that were cancelled include the Grand Parade, Festival Launch, Junior Parade, Junior King and Queen Show, Adult King and Queen Show and Pan Alive.
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival has occurred in Toronto for 52 years.
Organizers of the carnival said if COVID-19 lockdown subsides before the initial date of the festival, they will look for a way to mark the carnival in a non-elaborate format on the weekend of August 1.
