NEW YORK, CMC – Over three million spectators and thousands of masqueraders and revelers are expected to converge on Monday, in picture-perfect weather, on one of Brooklyn’s significant thoroughfares, Eastern Parkway, for the annual West Indian-American Day Carnival Parade.
The parade, which takes place along a 3 ½ mile-long route, follows the Caribbean J’Ouvert, which began at 6:00 a.m. (local time).
The culture of the Caribbean will be on full display along the parade route, as masqueraders display gigantic and small costumes, and revelers sway to the rhythm of the Caribbean, moving to hypnotic soca, reggae, and Kompa, among other music blaring from massive speakers mounted atop substantial flatbed trucks.
Officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) will be deployed along the route, with barricades installed to prevent onlookers from encroaching on the spectacle.
The NYPD also said that drones will be deployed overhead for the first time in the parade’s history as part of the NYPD’s ubiquitous security detail.
“It’s just an exciting time for the community,” said New York State Assemblyman Brian Cunningham. “This Carnival is one of the largest carnivals in America, but it also brings in US$300 million of revenue activity for the weekend.
“So, it’s a fascinating time for the Caribbean-American community,” said Cunningham, the son of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 43rd Assembly District encompassing parts of the parade route.
The Board of Directors of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), organizer of the Carnival festivities, said that the New York Carnival Week is being held under the theme “World Stage 2023”.
The Carnival Week, which began last Thursday and ended on Monday, features the return of WIADCA’s signature Junior Carnival Parade, YouthFest, and Panorama Steelband Competition on Saturday.
Parade Grand Marshals are Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants; Richard Davis, the Guyanese-born president of the labor union, TWU Local 100; Guyanese Ann-Marie Adamson, assistant vice president of Community and Corporate Engagement of the health insurance company, EmblemHealth; George Gresham, president of the labor union 1199SEIU.
Trinidadians Michael Joseph, Harmony Music Makers founder, steel band music instructor, and cultural practitioner; Kay Mason, cultural practitioner; and Jewel Alexis-Josey, Junior Carnival presenter.
WIADCA officially kicked off its Carnival Week at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum two weeks before.
The spectacle featured costumed and steel bands, dancers, and artists, among others, during the three-hour-long ceremony. Artist Eddy Charles, “from Trinidad and Tobago,” of the popular Trinidadian band Traffick and the Ghanaian band Wazumbians, made their debut.
There were also “Jab Ja” and other revelers from J’Ouvertt City International, organizer of the CaribbeanJ’Ouvertt, as well as Metro Steel and Harmony Steel orchestras. Yvette Rennie, the Trinidadian-born president of J’Ouvertt City International, attended the extravagant show and briefly addressed patrons.
Mayor Eric Adams says he wants “this parade (on Labor Day Monday, a public holiday here) to be tremendously successful.”
Clarke, through her district director, Anita Taylor, thanked WIADCA for its” “ceaseless support and commitment to always step up for our community.”
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, said he was “just excited” for the carnival festivities amid the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Hip Hop.
“Let’s celebrate,” he urged.” “Raiseyo” flag; peace and blessing.”
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