(Posted 8:30 a.m., June 20)
Carivibe event a major success despite afternoon rainshower
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Some young Carivibe revelers dance up a storm on Petrie Island. The annual event was held in Orléans on the weekend, and by all accounts it was a tremendous success.Fred Sherwin/Photo

Orléans' cultural dversity was on display for all to see on Saturday as members of the local Caribbean community held the first ever Caribvibe parade and jump up party at Petrie Island.

The event got underway at 12 noon with a carnival style parade down St. Joseph Blvd. and Tenth Line Rd. to Petrie Island.,

Several thousand people lined St. Joseph Blvd. between St. Pierre St. and Tenth Line Rd. to take in the colourful floats, costumed participants and Caribbean vibes pulsating from massive sound systems atop the tractor trailers..

The parade started under the threat of rain, but the clouds didn't dampen the spirits of the revellers who were determined to put on a good show for the crowds along the route.

The entire Caribbean community was represented in the parade with revellers hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica, Bahamas, St. Vincent and Cuba. There was even a float representing the Nigerian community promoting Dapo Day which is being held in Blackburn Hamlet on Aug. 25 in honour of Dapo Agoro.

One of the more popular floats in the parade was manned by an award-winning steel pan band from Montreal.

"That was by big time favourite," said 48-year-old Trinidad native Louise Fortune. "I love hearing a steel band. It reminds of home."

St. Lucia native Ingrid Robbest was one of the many colourfully dressed marchers. The 44-year-old Ottawa resident had some sound advice for revellers and observers alike.

"You leave everything behind, free your mind and have a good time." Robest said before setting out on the parade.with her fellow revellers.

The parade went off rain free until it hit the Tenth Line Road overpass over Hwy. 174. which is when the skies opened up. By the time the revellers got to Trim Road the rain slowly let up in time for the Caribvibe party on Petrie Island which again featured music and food from the Caribbean region.

The event was organized by cousins Dave and Trevor Mason and Dennis Mayers who plan to do it all again next year only bigger and better.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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