Carnival North celebrates Caribbean culture

The third annual Caribbean festival, Carnival North, held at the Collingwood Brewery features a roster of musical entertainment, performances and dancing including DJs, IzAhVibe Masqueraders, food, a vendor market, and kids’ activities.

In a festival reminiscent of Caribana Toronto, North America’s largest Caribbean festival, Carnival North welcomed over 750 guests last year.

“Carnival, J’ouvert, Mardi Gras, whatever you want to call it, is traditionally a family celebration,” said Kicha Holden, one of Carnival North’s founders. “Grandparents, children…everybody celebrates. The price needs to be accessible for everyone to come.”

The dedicated Kids’ Zone has an obstacle course, inflatables, basketball and a carnival marquis, is a place where kids can have fun on their own. This year, kids get their very own Kiddie Carnival at 3 p.m.

Carnival North takes place from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 17. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for children 4-17, available at www. carnivalnorth.ca.

Food is a big part of Caribbean culture and Carnival North will not disappoint. Angie’s Place Caribbean Eatery, a Stayner institution for over 20 years, will be serving up delectable curries and rotis for purchase, Bedward Jerk House offers mouthewatering jerkchicken, and Trini Tings provides Doubles so good you’d swear you were in Port of Spain.

Rum Punch is back, thanks to local distillery Heretic Spirits, as well as The Collingwood Brewery’s ice-cold Caribbean Lager, a crisp, approachable beer with a hint of citrus hops, brewed specifically for Carnival North by head brewer Chris Freeman.

Guests will also find Collingwood Brewery seltzers, other Caribbean drinks, a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, plus a water station. Note: no dogs allowed.