The Toronto Caribbean Carnival has announced that Nadelle Lewis and Joel Davis have been selected as the winners of 2019 “Face of the Festival” contest.

The contest, which ran from Nov. 1, 2018 until Feb. 1, 2019 provided Canadians with an opportunity to showcase their cultural diversity through sharing a personal story of empowerment.

Participants were asked to submit a short essay describing why they wanted to be the 2019 “Face of the Festival,” as well as the impact the Toronto Caribbean Carnival has had in their lives and community.

The “Face of the Festival” was first introduced in 2009, and this year marks its 10th anniversary. Since its inception in 2009, the contest has quickly become a fan favorite with many looking forward to year after year who will be crowned as the next “Face of the Festival.”

The Festival Management Committee (FMC) producer of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival received over twenty entries for the 2019 “Face of the Festival” contest. Through a unanimous vote, the (FMC) selected Lewis and Davis as the 2019 “Face of the Festival.”

Lewis, a self-proclaimed masquerader, started the #everyBODYplayamas movement to encourage full-figured men and women to play mas during carnival. The movement has broken down barriers to change public perception, while projecting a positive self image for all during the masquerade experience.

Davis, also known as “Connector” has been named – Canada’s Calypso Monarch by the Organization of Calypso Performing Artists. With a career spanning more than two decades, Davis released the hit single “Bump and Shake Yuh Bam Bam,” which headlined many international carnivals.

Today’s festival is a national celebration of freedom and diversity, celebrating calypso music, body positivity, and embracing diversity in all forms. This year, the festival celebrates its 52nd anniversary with four glorious weeks of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry, and entertainment.

For more, go to https://torontocarnival.ca .