Featuring a spectacular display of masqueraders and style dancers, the rhythmic sounds of steel and soca music, and speeches from elected officials including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the American West Indian Day Carnival Association based in Brooklyn, New York (WIADCA) launched its first in-person New York Caribbean Carnival in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m so happy to see the sea of people,” exclaimed Guyanese Ann-Marie Adamson, a WIADCA Advisory Committee member who served as Master of Ceremonies, at the newly renovated and expanded King’s Theater on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.
“2022 is the carnival you will never forget because we came out of COVID. So, I want to thank everyone who is here today,” she added as she thanked WIADCA volunteers and Executive Committee members and directors, including Guyanese President Michelle Gibbs-Francis and a host of politicians in attendance.
Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who represents the 9thth Brooklyn Congressional District, said it was “only fitting that, at a time filled with so much turmoil, uncertainty, we can count on the West American Indian Day Carnival to continue and bring us all together as a united community”.
“The American West Day Carnival is one of the largest carnival celebrations in the entire world, bringing together the young, the old and everyone in between to participate in the festivities,” she said. “Every year, anywhere from one to three million people from around the world flock to Eastern Parkway to eat food from all over the diaspora, hear the sweet sounds of calypso and reggae, and watch dazzling floats with intricately costumed dancers.” .
“For the members of this community, carnival is much more than just an opportunity to celebrate for a few days; it’s a celebration of our pride in our shared Caribbean culture and heritage,” added the daughter of Jamaican immigrants.
Clarke said she was very grateful for WIADCA’s continued efforts to create a program that represents the entirety and diversity of the Caribbean diaspora each year.
“And I am sure that the 55th year of this event will turn out to be a tremendous success,” she added.
Waving a miniature Grenadian flag, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, said, “It’s exciting to celebrate our culture. It is exciting that the Caribbean community is moving forward…. Last year, we didn’t do this (personal carnival). We went without gun violence. We must have another day of work without violence.”
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, whose parents hail from the Dominican Republic, called on carnival-goers to “spread the love the Brooklyn way.”
WIADCA said its cultural partners/presenters are “working tirelessly to bring the fantastic of authentic Caribbean carnival back to the streets” this year. He said that the participating cultural groups/leaders of Carnival 2022 are presenting a series of costume masterpieces.
In addition to the Labor Day Carnival Parade, which takes place in East Brooklyn Park on Monday, September 5, all other events, starting on Thursday, September 1, will be held on the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum.
“This year our return to the park (Eastern Parkway) inspires us to continue the cultural work on behalf of the community, the city, the state and our partners,” said Gibbs-Francis. “Without them, especially the mas and pan groups, we wouldn’t be here today.”
“Our losses were severe, but we stood stronger together to overcome them by providing for others and producing some impactful programs in the community for youth, adults and seniors. As for our COVID protocols, we have some guidelines to verify vaccination and temperature checks,” she added.
