Hundreds of people packed downtown Edmonton Saturday for the annual Cariwest Parade as dozens of colourful floats and performers strolled down city streets in a celebration of Caribbean culture.
“There’s a lot of different islands in the Caribbean that come together,” said Annamaria Edwards, Western Carnival Development Association and Cariwest president.
This year’s theme was “All Ah We,” meaning all of us, a focus on including all Edmontonians in the weekend celebration.
“People that want to be involved in carnivals … they just join us, they don’t have to be of Caribbean descent. We have lots of businesses with us this year, the NDP is with us this year, so it’s really a festive environment for everyone,” Edwards said.
Churchill Square was transformed into a Caribbean village Saturday and Sunday afternoon with food, music and dancing.
The festivities end Sunday.