Jamaica Day turns 21

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

When Hewitt Loague immigrated to Toronto in 1972, there was little Jamaican presence in Canada's largest city. Over four decades, he has witnessed his adopted hometown transform into one of North America's most diverse locations.

"The few Jamaicans I saw when I first came here operated record stores and hairdressing parlours in places like Eglington and Oakwood," Loague recalled. "It wasn't like New York where you saw Jamaicans everywhere."

Now in his early 60s, Loague is a respected figure in Toronto's Caribbean community. To many, he is best known as founder and publicist for the annual Jamaica Day Festival which takes place July 23 at the Wild Water Kingdom.

It will be the 21st annual renewal of the event which promotes the Caribbean experience in Toronto. Though artistes such as Leroy Sibbles, Freddie McGregor, Tinga Stewart, Richie Stephens and Frankie Paul have performed there, Loague says Jamaica Day is not a musical affair.

"It's something for business people, really ... the craft vendors, food vendors, hairdressers," he explained. "Everybody can make money on that day."

Cornel Davis, president of Jamaica Day's organising committee and Toronto resident since 1988, endorsed Loague's comments.

"The idea is to keep things balanced. Our main thing is to make this a family event."

Veteran acts Ernie Smith and Chaka Demus and Pliers, dancehall heavyweight Cham and singer Serani, strike Jamaica Day's musical balance this year.

Major Jamaican companies including Jamaica National Building Society, Victoria Mutual Building Society and GraceKennedy Limited are among its biggest sponsors.

The Jamaican population in Canada grew considerably during the 1970s when many middle-class Jamaicans - disenchanted with prime minister Michael Manley's socialist policies - fled to North America.

Toronto was also home to a small reggae colony in the 1970s. Sibbles,

fellow rocksteady singer Alton Ellis, Studio One keyboardist Jackie Mittoo, and Trinidadian session guitarist Lynn Taitt, lived there and contributed to the city's thriving club scene.

Gang crime

Originally from St Thomas, Loague was also part of Toronto's Jamaican surge. However, the strides his countrymen made in the 1970s and 1980s took a hit with a spike in crimes throughout areas like Scarborough.

Loague recalls the city's civic leaders blaming Jamaican gangs for the jump in crime. He said it inspired him to start Jamaica Day which first took place July 21, 1991 and drew an audience of 25,000 at G Ross Lord Park.

The Wild Water Kingdom is Jamaica Day's fourth venue. After its debut at G Ross Lord Park, it played for 11 years at Keelesdale Park before switching to Downsview Park.

Now involved in the transportation business, Hewitt Loague is looking forward to the time when Jamaica Day is as big as another Caribbean celebration in Canada - Caribana.

"We certainly don't have the same recognition as Caribana but I think it's safe to say we have the respect of the West Indian community," he said.