For the second year in a row, UFCW Canada joined over a million revelers at the Toronto Caribana parade, one of the world’s largest Caribbean cultural celebrations. 

The parade was held on Aug. 1, and made its start at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds before moving west, slowly and loudly, down the city’s Lakeshore Blvd.

An enthusiastic group of UFCW Canada activists contributed to this year’s festivities – and its riveting sights and sounds – by showering the massive crowd of participants and onlookers with several hundred plastic made-in-Canada whistles, generously provided by UFCW Canada Local 1000A’s newly established Community Action Network.

In addition to making sure everyone had a bright gold whistle, UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley handed out ice-cold bottled water, which came as a great relief to the parched merrymakers who spent the afternoon dancing under the hot sun to the booming soca sounds of B.A.S.S. and Dr. Jay.

UFCW Canada members, officers and staff joined over 1,200 flamboyantly dressed celebrators in “playing mass” with the 15-time award winning Louis Saldenah Mas-K Band. The term “playing mass” is short for “playing masquerade”, an old carnival tradition that involves wearing one of several thematic costumes.

“It’s a lot of fun and it’s really great to have so many people from so many different backgrounds and cultures sharing this wonderful day and this amazing event,” says National President Hanley.

Also in attendance was UFCW Canada Local 1993 President Winston Gordon who coordinated the union’s participation in Caribana, and is pictured (centre) having a lighthearted moment with several other UFCW Canada carnivallers.

UFCW Canada is already making plans for next year’s Caribana celebration and members who are interested in volunteering or playing mass in the parade are encouraged to contact their local union president.