Carifest 45 Honors Gerry Weekes | Calgary News

Calgary’s Carifest returns for its 45th year this weekend, bursting with Caribbean spirit through music, food, and dance — all culminating in the Grand Parade on Saturday at 12:30 PM. This year, the festival pays tribute to Gerry Weekes, a trailblazer of Trinidadian carnival culture who passed away last year during the parade. His legacy lives on in the final masquerade group’s tribute, “Fly High, A Tribute to Gerry Weekes.” Born from a small Trinidadian gathering in the early 80s, Carifest evolved into a cornerstone of Calgary’s cultural scene thanks to the Caribbean Community Council of Calgary. Months of prep lead up to the Grand Parade, where groups like IZWE Carnival dazzle in their “Echoes of Pierrot Grenade” costumes — shredded fabric, masks, and soca beats. Though brief, the parade is a powerful transformation, turning performers into joyful, vibrant personas — a celebration of home, heritage, and pure revelry. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b1ab2df0297c527e