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More than 100 OPSEU members, family and supporters played live Soca, Reggae and Calypso music from the OPSEU float along the parade route
Toronto (4 August 2009) - The Workers of Colour Caucus of the Ontario Public Service Emplyees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) were out in full swing at Carribana 2009 festival which celebrated its 42nd anniversary in Toronto.
Known as one of the largest cultural festivals in North America and the largest Caribbean Festival, it showcases the Caribbean culture through the music, cuisine, and performing arts. This year the Caribana festival attracted over one million visitors from around the word.
Prior to the Caribana parade on Saturday, the caucus prepared and “dressed” a huge Caribana float with large OPSEU banners and flags. They also organized costumes, food and refreshments for participants while setting up the music for the float.
More than a hundred OPSEU members, family and supporters participated in the OPSEU band. Vince Gobind, an OPSEU member from Local 311, played live Soca, Reggae and Calypso music from the float. OPSEU participants wore colorful and glittery costumes.
As one of thirty-eight bands participating in Caribana, participants jumped up in front of a panel of judges at Exhibition place and were judged on creativity of their costume design, their energy and their presentation.
During the parade route, OPSEU participants continued to jump up and caucus members handed out “Live and Let Live Wristbands” for the hundreds of thousands of spectators that lined the parade route.
OPSEU’s Workers of Colour caucus have historically raised funds and awareness of the Live and Let Live Fund at Caribana. The Fund supports agencies fighting AIDS and HIV in Africa in partnership with the Stephen Lewis Foundation and has focused on raising awareness of such issues as the need for skilled medical care, drugs and preventative programs for marginalized communities in Toronto and internationally.
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