The Western Carnival Development Association (WCDA) was incorporated as a non-profit organization under Alberta Societies Act in 1986. The mission of the organization is to develop and sustain the Caribbean Cultural Festival, "CARIWEST" as an international event that involves the entire community.
In 1991, as a marketing strategy, the name `CARIWEST` (a contraction of Carnival in the West) was adopted. Over its 15-year existence, the festival has changed locations at least five times until its arrival to the `Downtown Core` of Edmonton.