Features
Newsday reporter
Heavy rain threatened to drown out the hopes and dreams of thousands of Florida masqueraders last Sunday, as more than half the day was spent sheltering and avoiding pools of water at the Miami Dade County Fair and Expo Center.
However, just as hopes were dwindling after 2 p.m., the sun returned to make way for the annual Miami Broward One Carnival parade of bands.
The parade followed months of preparation and weeks of festivities, intense competition and an influx of carnival-goers from across the diaspora, Overtime Media said in a release.
Trinijunglejuice kicked off the action Thursday night with the annual Arrivals poolside party at the Nautilus by Arlo Hotel on Collins Avenue. The “Welcome to the Jungle” theme brought out the “silliness” as patrons threw branches and trees while enjoying the sounds of a DJ line-up that included King Nando, Team Joy, Barrier Hype, DeeBlaze, The Hypeman, Nuphoric, Walsh Fire. and Private Ryan.
On Friday, the Panorama pageant went into mourning as news of the death of calypso icon Winston “The Explainer” Henry reverberated throughout the Caribbean community. A great friend of the Miami Broward One Carnival Organizing Committee, Explainer will certainly be missed and his legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of many. Committee Chair Joan Justin said, “I’m still in shock because we became very close especially over the past year, and had spoken almost every day for the past few months, and there was no indication that he was unwell or that anything was wrong with him. He will be greatly missed and we will we need to discuss the tribute adaptation, but for now I think we’re all in shock…”
J’Ouvert took place at the Fairgrounds on Saturday morning, but along with the various colors of paint, dust and liquids also came heavy dark gray clouds and intermittent rain. On this day, the showers weren’t enough to spoil the festivities, but they certainly made this J’Ouvert experience much cooler than in previous years.
Miami Carnival 2022 was positively charged with the energy of carnival celebrations that were returning throughout the region, in many US states and the diaspora, and now exists in an interesting position at the beginning of the tenth month, with the new addition of the Tobago Carnival which happens at the end of October. Certainly, this will contribute to increased productivity in the creative sector with both carnivals now poised to lead and support the Mecca of all in Trinidad and effectively creating what it seems destined to become an endless carnival season around the globe.
