Scotiabank Caribana Chairman Joe Halstead has one thing to say to people wary of attending the event because they don't have Caribbean roots: this festival is for you, too.

Launched in 1967, Caribana was created as a gift to Canada from the Caribbean community in celebration of this country's centennial year, he says.

"It's a way to introduce Canadian people to Caribbean entertainment and lifestyle," Halstead told CP24.com in a phone interview Friday. "It's different, it's one-of-a-kind and it's unquestioningly an entertaining event."

About one million Torontonians and visitors usually attend the two-week festival -- which kicked off on Tuesday -- making it the city's largest event.

This year's theme is "Feel De Vibe," which will be reflected in its signature costume contests, music spectaculars and massive parade along Lake Shore Boulevard on Aug. 1.

The festival will also feature some new elements this year, including an increase in educational programs to tell revellers about the history of Caribana and its Trinidadian ancestor, Carnival.

Stages will also be erected throughout the parade route to keep its 800,000-or-so spectators entertained during gaps in the procession, Halstead says.

The festival itself runs from July 14 to Aug. 2 thanks to the work of about 20 full-time staff and approximately 500 volunteers.

Main events peppered throughout the two weeks include the king and queen competition, the children's parade, a steel pan drumming contest and Island Weekend -- a day-long celebration of arts and culture usually held on Olympic Island.

This year the concert, and two events scheduled for the city-run Lamport Stadium (Pan Alive and the king and queen competition), may have to be moved due to an ongoing municipal workers strike.

Organizers say they are waiting to see if the dispute is resolved soon before making the final decision, and that the events will go ahead regardless of their location.

Festival general manager Sam Lewis, who spends half his time in Trinidad as the chairperson of Carnival's parade committee, says Caribana remains one of the biggest events of the year for many people worldwide -- no matter where the events are held.

"It's a time when relatives from all over the world come into Toronto," he says, reminiscing of years when his house was overflowing with guests who had come to the city for Caribana.

"They didn't care where they slept as long as everyone was together."