The sun is shining, the music's pumping and the mood at Caribana is one big party atmosphere.
Peter Kent, minister of state of foreign affairs and Federal NDP leader Jack Layton kicked off the festivities in Toronto with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The parade is a sea of colourful floats, and party participants are dressed in spectacular, elaborate costumes.
Some costumes are as high as five metres, and they're moving along with the help of wheels.
Others are wearing skimpy costumes with beads and feather headdresses-one way to keep cool under the hot sun.