by SCOTT C

If you've ever been to any of this city's annual Carifiesta celebrations, you know that the spirit of the Caribbean is alive and well in Montreal. What you may not have known is that Carifiesta has been a regular yearly occurrence here for the last 30 years, with 2004 marking a very special milestone for the Caribbean Cultural Festivities Association.

The tropical-flavoured celebration has always promoted the unity of Montreal's various Caribbean nationals, allowing the general public to sample island culture through music, food and art. But the most recognizable and popular part of Carifiesta has got to be the Carifiesta Parade of the Bands, making its way through the heart of Montreal on Saturday, July 3. Thousands of people crowd the streets to watch as masqueraders with elaborate costumes dance and move to the sounds of calypso, soca, reggae and steelpan music - as well as the occasional flatbed truck with a DJ playing hip hop and R&B on the back. The parade starts at René-Lévesque and Guy at 11:45 a.m., and the masqueraders will make the colourful jaunt east to Bleury, south to St-Antoine and then east again, ending up at Parc Champ-de-Mars, where you can get all manner of Caribbean food. Rotis, doubles, peleau, jerk chicken, corn on the cob and more can be found at the end of the line.

The collective works of all the artists and musicians who come together every year to participate in this summertime staple have been shaped from a practice originating in Trinidad and Tobago after the freeing of the slaves. The North American version of Carnival finds people dressing up and wearing masks, masquerading, or "playing mas," to celebrate.

"When I was a kid," recalls Carifiesta rep Pat Dillon, "I can remember being completely and totally mesmerized by the huge costumes and all the colours, but I also remember that I'd never seen so many people of colour together in one place. It really made me feel like Montreal belonged to me for the first time."

The people come out all right, so in the spirit of Carifiesta, we present a few simple rules for an enjoyable parade experience.

1. Do not tangle yourself up in between the masqueraders. Stay to the side of the street. These people have worked at mas camp from as far back as April to make these costumes, and some people have even paid to compete and play mas with a certain band, and don't need you tripping and falling all over them.

2. Don't take liberties. Yes, this is a day that you will see lots of scantily clad men and women, but no, it does not mean you can rub-up behind someone because you feel like it. Jump up, but don't act the fool.

3. Leave your bike and dog at home. Unless your dog has a soft spot for loud music and people stepping all over his feet, this is not the place for him. And walking a bike in this many people will make you very unpopular very quickly.

4. Catch the parade at René-Lévesque and Frère-André. Clearly the best seat in the house, this is where the judges view the various bands and masqueraders passing by.

The Carifiesta Parade of the Bands starts at René-Lévesque and Guy, Saturday, July 3, II:45am

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