Visitors were immersed in Caribbean culture, music and dance as the annual festival moved to Town Center Park for the summer of 2022.
When the steel pan drums take center stage, how can you resist the urge to get up and dance?
The Caribbean Days Festival arrived at Coquitlam’s central park last weekend, drawing hundreds of visitors to an island experience that included music, dancing, food, market vendors, colorful photo ops and other cultural activities.
It celebrated a historical diversity, of which the Tri-Cities has many notable connections.
This includes both the late Percy Perry, a Trinidadian coach and athlete from Coquitlam whose name is on the Town Center Park Stadium, and the late Port Coquitlam Mayor Len Traboulay, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago.
Caribbean Days has been rated as one of the top 15 festivals in Metro Vancouver, based on attendance.
The two-day event moved to Coquitlam this summer after 32 years in North Vancouver.
This was the Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Society of BC’s first festival in two years following cancellations stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are very happy to be here,” said Marilyn Perrin, president of the society.
“It’s such a nice feeling to feel so welcome in the city of Coquitlam.”
Also, a three-on-three basketball tournament was held for youth aged 10 to 16.
TD Community Plaza featured an array of talented musicians specializing in Soca, Reggae, Calypso, Latin, African and other international sounds.
For more information about Caribbean Days, you can visit the festival’s website.
