Uniquely NYC
West Indian Carnival Parade
Tradition of the West Indian Carnival dates back to the 1920s, when
immigrants from Caribbean Islands held their celebrations in private
places in Harlem. The parade permit for Harlem was revoked in 1964
following a disturbance. Five years later it was re-established on
Eastern Parkway of Brooklyn by what later became known as the West
Indian-American Day Carnival Association.
The Carnival goes on for five days in September starting on the last
Thursday before Labor Day. Its culmination and grand finale is the
parade on Labor Day, which runs along Eastern Parkway from Utica Avenue
to Grand Army Plaza. The parade is a spectacularly colorful affair where
the most elaborate and creative costumes will strike your imagination.
Each masquerade camp or "mas" tries to win a cash prize by introducing
their theme. Some of the more exciting themes of past parades include:
Tribute to Bob Marley, Jewels of the City, Seagate and Caribbeans Unite.
The most coveted titles of the parade are the titles of king and queen.
Naturally, their costumes are the most stunning.
Of course, the Carnival wouldn't have its tremendous appeal without the
variety of traditional Caribbean music and food made available.
Attendees can enjoy various types of Caribbean music such as calypso,
which evolved out of traditional folk music of Trinidad and Tobago;
soca, a contemporary offsoot of calypso; reggae; rap; and the steel
band. Food vendors line up the Eastern Parkway with colorful displays of
Caribbean food. Some of the traditional dishes found at the Carnival
are: jerk chicken, butterfly shrimp kebabs, fish cakes, oxtail, meat
patties and coconut bread. Anyone willing to get acquainted with
Caribbean cuisine will find plenty of choices to indulge their
curiosity.
The West Indian Carnival attracts a huge crowd of spectators ranging
between one and three million each year. Its economic impact, popularity
and success has inspired similar events in places like Miami and Boston.