Brooklyn prepares for 59th West Indian American Day Carnival Parade on Eastern Parkway
Tens of thousands of masqueraders and millions of spectators are expected on Labor Day for the largest Caribbean parade in North America.
NEW YORK, United States. Tens of thousands of masqueraders and revellers and millions of spectators are expected on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn on Monday, Labor Day, for the 59th annual West Indian American Day Carnival Parade.
The parade, regarded as the largest Caribbean parade in North America, runs from 10am to 6pm along a three-and-a-half-mile route from Buffalo Avenue to Grand Army Plaza and Flatbush Avenue.
Masqueraders will dance to calypso, soca, zouk and other Caribbean music from speakers mounted on flatbed trucks and floats, under the watch of New York Police Department officers. Spectators will view the parade from behind double metal barricades.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani are among the politicians expected at the pre-parade breakfast at Lincoln Terrace Court on Buffalo Avenue and in the parade itself.
"Celebrate responsibly"
"For 59 years, the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) has proudly provided the platform for New York's Caribbean Carnival," the organisation said in a statement. "We encourage our community to celebrate responsibly and respectfully."
"Our parade is a Carnival Parade, rooted in the traditions of mas, music, steel band, movement, creativity and cultural expression," it added, asking participants to respect safety, masqueraders and bands.
This year's theme is "M.A.S.: Music. Action. Soul."
Among the grand marshals is Julian John, the Trinidad-born chief executive of NYC Health and Hospitals/Metropolitan, who WIADCA said has more than 30 years in hospital administration.
Carnival week programme
The carnival season was launched on August 20 at the Brooklyn Children's Museum despite heavy thundershowers.
"Rain couldn't stop us, and rain certainly couldn't stop the celebration," said Rhea Smith, a Trinidadian member of the WIADCA board.
New York Carnival Week runs from September 3 to 7. Gemini Production presents Blocko Mania on Thursday at the Brooklyn Museum, with Black Dan, Edwin Yearwood, Mical Teja, Iwer George, Rikki Jai, Jadel and Anika Berry, followed by Soca Fest on Friday with KES the Band, WCK, Bunji Garlin, Fayann and the Viking band.
The Youth Fest and Junior Carnival take place on Saturday, September 5, with the junior parade starting at 9am at St John's Place and Kingston Avenue.
The main parade will be preceded by Caribbean J'Ouvert, organised by J'Ouvert City International.
