Inaugural Regina Caribbean Carnival set to get underway in Victoria Park

The inaugural Caribfest Regina Caribbean carnival will take over Victoria Park on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Festival organizer Jasinta Fisher says the daylong event will allow members of the Caribbean community to come together and celebrate their culture.

“The tradition of the Caribbean carnival goes back to the early 18th century. It started as a way for us to celebrate our freedom,” she explained.

“With the Caribbean culture and its history of slavery, this is a time where people can outwardly express, smile, dance and be ourselves no matter what type of struggles happened before then.”

A free parade will start the festivities starting at noon.

“We’ll be kicking off the festival with a traditional carnival-style parade that will be starting on 13th and Cameron and making our way to Victoria Park,” she said.

The parade will have a truck playing music and will also feature traditional Caribbean dancers.

Once the parade arrives at Victoria Park, there will be opening ceremonies, which are something Fisher highly recommends seeing.

“At the park, we’ll be starting with live music. Desmond Paul will be playing the steel pan; if you haven’t heard steel pans, this is the time,” Fisher said.

Fisher adds there will also be various foods for the public to try out.

“There will be jerked chicken, curry and rice and potato chana, as well as some other foods from other guests,” she added.

Special Caribbean drinks will also be available for festivalgoers to purchase.

While the parade will be free, the festival is charging $5 per person for admission.