The 51st Caribbean Carnival begins at Nathan Phillips Square

The Caribbean Carnival in Toronto began its 51st year of grand style at Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday with the intention of getting things done in 2018.

"This year is the year of the Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the Management Committee of the Caribbean Carnival Festival of Toronto, told CBC Toronto.

Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the Management Committee of the Toronto Carnival Festival, says that the event "tries to get people to know the festival better" (CBC)

. Opportunities to do so, as the festival provides for a number of major events planned for the following weeks, including the Sunday King and Queen Showcase, Calypso Showcase on July 29 and the Grand Parade on August 4.

"Every year We welcome hundreds of thousands of people from all over North America in Toronto to celebrate the pa Caribbean heritage, "said Denise Herrera Jackson, CEO of the Festival Management Committee, in a press release.

celebrates island culture in Toronto and lasts for several weeks. (CBC)

"As the largest outdoor festival in North America, we know how to have a good time and encourage people from near and far to have fun."

where the Toronto Mas Bands Association, the Calypso Artists Organization and the Ontario Steelpan Association brought the images and sounds of the islands to the city

The Toronto Mas Bands Association, the Organization of the Calypso artists and the Ontario Steelpan Association. brought the sights and sounds of the islands to the city at the Caribbean Carnival of Toronto launch event on Tuesday.

And the organizers say that they already see a strong interest.

"A lot of bands are selling costumes right now, which is a good sign that more people are considering playing mas," Alexander said. "The hotels are filling up, so we obviously know that people are coming into the city."

Valerie Williamson and Juliana Prospere were at the launch event as a traditional mas Lorraine Lady character.

They say that they represented the carnival story for three years.

Juliana Prospere, on the left, and Valerie Williamson, on the right, were both at the launching event as a traditional Mas character of Dame Lorraine (CBC)

to tell the story. carnival history, the origins of the carnival, to keep it fresh, "said Prospere. We want people to remember that carnival is not a feather or a swimsuit, but there is a story behind it.

The organizers say that this year's theme, "Celebrating Freedom and Diversity," inspires the beginnings of Carnival. freedom from the oppression of slavery.