CARNIVAL

It's been tradition for carnivals to be timed before the beginning of Lent on the catholic calendar. To take the extra levels of energy and dance and party out of your system because there's another 40 days of penance leading up to Easter weekend. Think Rio de Janeiro, Venice & Trinidad to name a few. Now over the past 50 yrs the emerging Carnivals from emigrating folks landed in cities like Toronto, London, & New York and since the summer heat rules these celebrations, this is New World Carnival season. Here's a quick primer on these 3 must visit festivals.

Toronto, Canada: CARIBANA
Year #1: 1967
Attendance: 1.3 Million
Holiday: Civic Day, First Monday of August. Parade on Saturday prior to holiday.
Location: Lakeshore Blvd. Scenic lakeside route is shut down for the all-day-fest.
Website: http://www.caribanatoronto.com/

London, UK: NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
Year #1: 1966
Attendance: 2 Million
Holiday: Bank Holiday, Last Monday of August
Location: Ladbroke Grove for the parade, walk into the community for the Soundsystems!!
Website: http://www.thenottinghillcarnival.com/

New York, USA: WEST INDIAN LABOR DAY PARADE
Year #1: 1967
Attendance: 1-3 Million
Holiday: Labor Day, 1st Monday in September
Location: Eastern Parkway Brooklyn closed for NYC's take on Caribbean culture.
Website: http://www.labordaycarnival.com/