Below are some frequently asked questions about Scotiabank Caribana.

1. When is Scotiabank Caribana 2010?The Scotiabank Caribana Festival in 2010 runs from July 15th to August 2nd. The main event is the Lakeshore Parade, which takes place on Saturday, July 31st.

2. How soon should I start planning my trip to Toronto?At least four months in advance. Unless you are planning on sleeping in your car, we’d recommend booking online in advance. With over 1.2 million people attending annually, hotels and buses can fill up very early. Check out our online travel planner for good rates and packages to this year’s festival.

3. How can I get in the parade?!To Jump up in the parade aka “play mas” you’ll need to get in touch with a Mas Band. The masquerade camp or mas camp as it's commonly known is the location where all costumes are assembled for the junior carnival, the king and queen show, and the Caribana parade. Each Mas Band has their own individual masquerade camp which is usually a rented out warehouse space.

A masquerader (people who play Mas) usually visits mas camp at least twice before the parade. Once for registration, measurements, and money deposit, and a second time to pick up the costume and pay the remaining fee on the outfit. List of Mas Camps can be found on our website home page.

Masquerade costumes for Caribana can range in price from $85 - $500 depending on the mas band, size and type of costume.

Now all you have to do is show up on parade day in costume and you’re in!!!

4. When does Scotiabank Caribana officially start?Scotiabank Caribana officially launches on Tuesday, July 15th at Dundas Square in the heart of Toronto. Over 5,000 people and media will pack the downtown core for the kick off.

5. Where can I find information about the festival events and the parade route?We have posted this information online under our events section. This year you can also download our mobile application, which has event schedules, attractions, and videos and can provide directions to each event.

6. What other events are there other than the Parade?Caribana is a two-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. From July 15th there are non-stop events, which include the Junior Carnival at Yorkgate Mall, the art exhibit at the ROM, King and Queen at Lamport Stadium and the Lime at Ontario Place. Each event offers a unique and exciting Caribbean experience. You can get more details, directions and buy tickets by visiting our events section.

7. What other attractions should I check out while in Toronto?Toronto is a popular destination with a wide selection of theatres, art exhibits, fine dining, sports and much more. Check out our partner, Toronto Tourism page for a list of all things Toronto.

8. I won't be able to visit Toronto during Scotiabank Caribana this year. I'd really like to be able to "see" the festival online. Will you be broadcasting them? Yes. We will be broadcasting Scotiabank Caribana Festival highlights on the website. Please check this website frequently during the Scotiabank Caribana season for updates.

9. Should I dress up to attend the parades? What should I bring?If you really want to Feel De Vibe then wear a costume. Otherwise NO. You should always wear casual clothing and comfortable walking shoes to the parades. Many times your shoes will be stepped on so you do not want to wear anything you wouldn't want ruined. You may also have to park a distance from the parade route, so you'll want to be comfortable. For a complete list of items to bring to the parade, see our survival guide on the next tab.

10. What is the legal drinking age for Toronto?The legal alcohol purchasing age is 19.