They were jumping up at Jane Street and Finch Avenue West for the Scotiabank Junior Carnival Parade, keeping their Caribbean heritage alive.

Saturday's parade, which involves 1,500 children, started at 11 a.m. ended at 2:30 p.m.

One parent told CTV Toronto that since it will be the youth that sustains Caribana, it's important to start them young.

Nine-year-old Rebecca Martinez was pulling a costume and a heavier burden than most. Her grandfather had helped build it, and he died Friday.

"I'm here because I want to rock this world and thank grandma and grandpa ... yeah!" she said, adding she feels great, "like a queen."

Her parents Michael and Maria pronounced themselves very proud of their daughter, who has taken part in Caribana since she could walk.

Traffic problems

The parade tied up traffic, one of many events that will affect Toronto drivers this weekend.

Another major event this weekend that could affect traffic is the Beaches International Jazz Festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday at Woodbine Park, just south of where Kingston Road and Queen Street East intersect.

In Toronto's northwest, the Fusion of Taste Festival, hosted by the Islington-Albion BIA, takes place on Albion Road, which will be closed between Islington Avenue and Thistledown Boulevard until 11 p.m.

On Sunday, the RCP International will host the Acura 10 miler and 5-km. run.

This event will be centred around the Distillery District.

"At 6 a.m., the area surrounding The Distillery District will be completely blocked to all vehicular traffic," police said.

"At 7:45 a.m., all eastbound Lakeshore Boulevard East lanes will be closed, from Sherbourne Street to the Don Roadway.

"The westbound Lakeshore Boulevard East lanes will be closed, from Booth Avenue to Parliament Street, at 7:45 a.m. All traffic will be diverted on to the westbound Gardiner Expressway.

"At 8:20 a.m., the westbound Lakeshore Boulevard lanes will be reopened to Cherry Street only. Vehicles will be diverted northbound on Cherry Street; southbound on Cherry Street will remain closed."

Those road closures will exist until 11 a.m.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Reshmi Nair