1199 SEIU Social Cultural Committee wins New York Carnival Adult Band of the Year
WIADCA also apologised to bands that could not reach the judging point because of circumstances it said were beyond its control.
NEW YORK, United States. 1199 SEIU Social Cultural Committee has won Adult Band of the Year at the 2026 New York Carnival with its presentation "Mesmerized", the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) announced on Sunday, September 13.
Tropical Taste Mas Band/Dynasty Mas Band placed second with "Enchanted Tribal Colors", and Wiicked Feterz Mas Band & Da Set United Mas Camp were third with "Carnival Jumbee Collective".
Junior band results
In the small junior band category, Charlize Horizon's "Give Them Performance" won, One Your Toes Junior Mas Band was second with "Out of the World" and Mas Production Unlimited's "Inca" was third.
D'Midas International NYC, Inc. won the medium category with "Oasis Garden", with Inspired by Zoe's "Heavenly Radiance" and Kaiso Moko Jumbies USA's "The Battle" also placing.
Sherzel Productions Mas won the large junior category with "Revolution the Rise of Energy". Stronjeh International's "A Journey Into Africa" was second and 1199 SEIU Cultural Group's "Mesmerized" third.
"Mas is at the heart of Carnival. Every costume that crossed the stage and Eastern Parkway represents months of imagination, design, construction, sacrifice, financial investment, and extraordinary cultural artistry," said WIADCA chairman Andrew Maloney.
"Our young masqueraders deserve particular recognition," he added. "Their participation ensures that these traditions are not simply remembered, but actively passed from one generation to the next."
Apology to unjudged bands
Maloney acknowledged "the disappointment experienced by those bands whose presentations were equally impressive but, due to circumstances beyond the organisation's control, were unable to reach the official judging point and, therefore, did not have the opportunity to be judged".
"We sincerely apologise to those bands, their designers, masqueraders and supporters for that disappointment," he said.
He said discussions were under way on "the most appropriate path forward, including what actions may be taken to support and assist the bands affected by the shortcomings and circumstances surrounding this year's presentation".
WIADCA, he said, is committed to engaging directly with the affected bands, listening to their concerns and identifying "fair and meaningful steps" that acknowledge their investment.
