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By: Simone Joseph
The sights, sounds and colours of Caribana are coming to Markham this year.“A lot of people do not want to go to Toronto because of the crowds. I thought, why not bring the taste and feel of Caribana to Markham?” Caribbean Family Fest organizer Mary Maestre-Andrews says.The event runs noon to 9 p.m. Aug. 3, the same weekend as Caribana events in downtown Toronto.The day after the giant Toronto Caribana parade, there is not much to do so in Toronto and Markham, so it is the perfect time to hold a Caribana-themed event in Markham, Ms Maestre-Andrews said.The Markham Museum will be decorated with Caribana costumes to go with the food and live music.Ms Maestre-Andrews is looking forward to musical headliner Roy Cape All Stars as well as Kerwin Du Bois, she said. The Panatics Steel Band will also perform. “It is like bringing the Caribbean right here to you. A lot of people cannot travel there,” she said.Ms Maestre-Andrews, a freelance marketing professional and event planner, is hoping a few thousand people will attend and adds there will be good door prizes.A kids zone has carousel and pony rides, volleyball, face painting, boat rides and mini golf.Older children will enjoy windball cricket, three-a-side soccer and an all-fours pairs tournament.She is expecting Caribbean Family Fest to attract people from as far as Toronto and Durham Region.Ms Maestre-Andrews, one of 10 volunteers organizing the event, comes by her love of all things Caribbean honestly. She is from Trinidad and remembers dressing in costume for a parade there before arriving in Canada 20 years ago.However, a Caribbean background is not necessary to enjoy Caribbean Family Fest.“You may not be Caribbean, but who cares? Come out to a different cultural experience.” Proceeds from the fest go to Markham Stouffville Hospital. Meanwhile, young people who still need to collect volunteer hours for high school graduation are welcome to work at the fest.Parking is at the museum (on Hwy. 48 just north of 16th Avenue) or at the Mount Joy Community Centre on 16th Avenue.Tickets are available at the museum (call 905-294-4576) or in Scarborough at the Louis Saldenah Mas Camp (call 416-444-9118) or the Scarlet Ibis Restaurant (call 416-455-1446).
Tickets are: $20 for adults, ($25 at the gate) and $10 for ages six to 17. Children five and younger get in free. E-mail hibiscusmary@rogers.com for more information.