Local 1993 “Summer Splash” kicks off Caribana Season for UFCW Canada activists and families

2012 Junior Carnival Click on the image above to see the photo gallery.

2012 Summer Splash Click on the image above to see the photo gallery.

Over 200 UFCW Canada activists, families and community partners gathered in Toronto on July 21 to fundraise for sickle cell research and bring in the annual Caribana season with an energetic night of music, dancing, door prizes and delicious West Indian food.

Hosted by UFCW Canada Local 1993, the annual Summer Splash event is the official launch of the union’s participation in the city’s Caribana season, which culminates in a massive parade along Toronto’s Lakeshore Boulevard that draws more than a million spectators and participants.

“Congratulations to Local 1993 for another great fundraising event, and for playing a key role in making UFCW Canada the labour movement’s leading presence in the Caribana community,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley who once again attended the fun-filled event and brought greetings from the National Office.  

“The participation and interest of UFCW Canada activists, friends and supporters in the Caribana season grows every year,” says Local 1993 President Winston Gordon. “This year’s Summer Splash was better than ever with a number of UFCW Canada Local Unions taking part, along with the Ontario Federation of Labour, represented by President Sid Ryan and Executive Vice President Irwin Nanda. We were also very pleased to have CBTU Leader Janice Geary in attendance, and the NDP Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Rouge River, Rathika Sitsabaiesan, who helped draw the door prizes for a number of lucky winners.”

Earlier in the day, many Summer Splash families also took part in the Junior Carnival, which gives young Masqueraders a day of their own to dance through the streets in their brightly coloured costumes.

This year’s Toronto Caribana parade will take place on Saturday, August 4, where UFCW Canada will once again join its long-time community partner, and multi-award winning Mas Band, the Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club.