Security is being revved up to prevent spectators from entering the Scotiabank Caribana parade as changes are made to the parade route for Saturday.

Caribana's GM of Operations, Sam Lewis, told CP24.com that security was increased because in other years, organizers were concerned that the routes were becoming crowded with spectators.

"We have placed security at strategic points where people have had access to the route and get into the parade," he says.

"We are hoping that this year not as many people would be able to access that route."

The Caribana Festival drew 1.3 million participants last year.

The 42nd year of the festivities is coming with a slew of changes this year, with many designed to address some of the challenges faced in previous years, and due to the Toronto city workers strike.

This year, steel bands will be starting on the parade route on Lake Shore Boulevard instead of inside Exhibition Place, Lewis says.

"In the past, we always had some bands stuck in Exhibition Place and they couldn't get out onto the Lake Shore," he says.

"This is expected to take care of spectators coming into the bands, flooding them along the route and making it impossible for the bands to move along."

A "cool down" area will also be set up in Budapest Park at the end of the parade route for parade participants to relax, and to prevent them to from going back up the route and interfering with other bands coming down.

Meanwhile, preparations are well underway for De Scotiabank Caribana Lime on Sunday and Tent Village on Monday at Ontario Place. These events normally take place on Olympic Island, but organizers were forced to make a venue change last week due to ferry service being cancelled because of the strike.

Lewis says news of a resolution in the city workers strike this week has not affected the new plan.

"We had taken steps to ensure there would be a clean Caribana. I had already approached the bands and all members to have them assist in any way they can, so the roads wouldn't be filled with as much garbage," he says.

"Now that the strike is over, we see that as a blessing. We're quite pleased with that, it's beneficial to all."

Eric Delfish, in charge of Caribana logistics, says the Ontario Place events will draw more than 6,000 people on both days.

"It's easier because the ferry where one would have to line-up to be taken to Olympic Island has been eliminated and people can easily access Ontario Place."

"There is a possibility we could see more people because of the ferry factor," he says.