By Saman Goudarzi

The official launch of the 43rd Scotiabank Caribana Festival will take place this Thursday, July 15th 2010.

The kick off to the famed three-week festival will occur at Dundas Square from noon to 2 p.m.

The launch will contain everything from musical performances (calypso, soca, steelbands) to dance performances from various troupes and dancers decorated in mas costumes.

MPP Margarett Best and the Festival Management Committee Chairman Joe Halstead are both scheduled to speak.

This free event is expected to liven up a very dehydrated Toronto.