Caribana™ Ignite to showcase Caribbean culture at Kitchener’s newest street party

This month, Downtown Kitchener will be filled with the diversity and vibrancy of the Caribbean at Kitchener’s newest street party! Caribana™ Ignite is coming to the city on Aug. 23-24, with a celebration showcasing the true essence of carnival, the hottest up-and-coming carnival designers, and Caribbean culture over two high-energy days. Music, dancing, Caribbean food and carnival finery will fill King Street, Carl Zehr Square and Gaukel Block in an unforgettable party.

“This is the first year Caribana™ has been celebrated outside of Toronto and we’re thrilled to be working with the Caribana Arts Group to bring this vibrant festival to Kitchener,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “I’m excited for our whole community to experience Caribbean culture through the music, food and celebration that will fill the city over the weekend, and I can’t wait to take part!”

Caribana™ Ignite kicks off on Friday, August 23 with the Glow Party in Carl Zehr Square. This jam-packed evening will feature the sights, sounds and flavours of the Caribbean with music, dancing, food and more. As the sun sets, we invite you all to help us light up the square! Attendees are encouraged to dress in bright colours and represent the community they live in. Free glow sticks will be distributed to the first 1,000 participants.

Saturday, August 24 will fill King Street with the sights and sounds of carnival. Groups of revellers will parade down the street joined by live bands showcasing the sounds of the Caribbean. They will all gather at Carl Zehr Square for an afternoon of celebration. The party will extend to Gaukel Block with vendor market, food and drinks, a DJ and a kids’ zone.

“The Caribana™ Arts Group is thrilled to join forces with the City of Kitchener, igniting the vibrant spirit of Caribana™ right here in the heart of Waterloo Region,” said Davina Reid, Chair of Caribana™ Arts Group. “Our mission? To create an unforgettable festival that pulsates with the rhythms, colors, and soul of the Caribbean. We are grateful for our community partners and sponsors who have really stepped up to bring this festival to the community. Together, we’re bringing you Caribana™ Ignite—an exhilarating celebration that transcends borders and unites cultures while commemorating emancipation. Prepare to be immersed in the kaleidoscope of Caribbean traditions—vibrant costumes, infectious music, and tantalizing cuisine. So mark your calendars, gather your crew, and let’s dance, laugh, and savor life together. We can’t wait to see you there!”

The City of Kitchener is partnering with Caribana Arts Group to present Caribana™ Ignite, with the support of the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region. The festival was designed to not only showcase the vibrancy and culture of the Caribbean, but give our community an opportunity to participate! Anyone interested in joining the street parade is invited to register through the Caribana™ Ignite website and represent the region in Saturday’s street parade by dressing in bright colours representing the community they live in.

"For the Caribana Arts Group to choose Kitchener-Waterloo as their first stop outside of Toronto just speaks to the strength of this community. The multiculturalism of this community and the energy that's here," said Lannois Carroll-Woolery, president of the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region. “Why Caribana Ignite? We want to create a spark in Waterloo Region based on the large scale festival traditionally held in Toronto. We want to excite feelings and passions, and fire up the community!”

The Caribana Arts Group has even more events and opportunities for celebration planned throughout August as we count down the days to Caribana™ Ignite! To learn more about everything to see and do at the festival or to plan your weekend, visit the City of Kitchener’s website or the Caribana™ Ignite website.

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For more information, contact:

Bethany Rowland
Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
City of Kitchener
bethany.rowland@kitchener.ca

Davina Reid
Chair, Caribana Arts Group
chair@caribana.com