On June 3 , Toledo’s Historic Old West End Festival begins with the neighborhoods newest tradition, The King Wamba Carnival Parade. Formerly known simply as The Old West End Festival Parade, The King Wamba celebrates the birth of summer by paying homageto Toledo’s grand, but short-lived Mardi Gras festival of 1909. If you haven’t been to the parade lately, you’re missing one of the most unique sight and sound experiences in the Midwest. Drawing inspiration from other art parades, such as the Orange Show Art Car Parade in Houston and The Coney Island Mermaid Parade, The King Wamba Carnival Parade showcases the cultural and ethnic diversity unique to Toledo’s Old West End Neighborhood. Individuals representing at least six states are expected to journey toToledo, to create a visual odyssey of art cars, floats, performance art and musical presentations. Veteran festival parade watchers can expect old favorites, including neighborhood community groups, churches and our parade musical hosts, The Scott High School Marching Band. The grand finale will be a procession carrying our 2006 King Wamba and Queen Sancha, followed by a coronation ceremony and special presentation from our Parade Grand Marshall, Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner. Need we say more? All information can be found here. Don’t miss The King Wamba Carnival Parade!