IT TAKES a lot of pieces to create the largest parade in New York City, but it’s happening —
the massive masquerade ensembles, steel bands, hundreds of vendors and literally millions of spectators are anxiously looking forward the West Indian American Day Carnival and Parade.
Under the theme “Celebrate Our Caribbean Pride and Culture,” the biggest expression of Caribbean-ness in North America will mark the event’s 46th anniversary.
The carnival association is presently registering vendors, who will be lining the Eastern Parkway parade route selling Caribbean food and drink, T-shirts and apparel, jewelry, arts and crafts and other goods.
Kathryn Kirk
Officers of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, elected officials and a colorful collection of masqueraders were on hand for the July 11 Brooklyn Borough Hall kickoff for the 2013 Labor Day carnival and parade. Pennants, hats, shirts and other items bearing the colors of Caribbean national flags (below) on sale along the Eastern parkway parade route in 2012. Also among the vendors at the parade each year are sellers of Caribbean foods, beverages and arts and crafts.
Todd Maisel/New York Daily News
“The West Indian American Day Carnival and the West Indian Day Parade are a phenomenal celebration of the many contributions made by Caribbean Americans in Brooklyn, in New York City and across the country,” said Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz at the recent carnival kickoff event at Borough Hall, featuring West Indian American Day Carnival Association President Thomas Bailey and association executives, elected officials and a troupe of colorfully costumed masqueraders.
“. . . I know for sure that this year’s New York Caribbean carnival, with five days of cultural displays and entertainment from Aug. 29 until Sept. 2, will be bigger and better than ever and a must-see for Brooklynites, for New Yorkers and for tourists from across America and around the globe,” Markowitz declared.
The massive Sept . 2 parade of costumed revelers and the preceding four days of carnival events at the Brooklyn Museum draw millions of spectators and produce an estimated $300 million-plus economic boost for New York, said Bailey at the kickoff.
Tina Fineberg/AP
Back on the parkway, officers from the city Department of Corrections celebrated Caribbean heritage last year with zest, vigor and pride. Below, younger parade spectator takes in the 2012 parade happenings.
Joel Cairo/for New York Daily News
This year’s festivities start with four days of shows on the Brooklyn Museum grounds.
On Aug. 29 , Caribbean Woodstock — a music-filled event with performers playing soca, reggae, Latin, zouk, kompa and hip hop — will be held. The event also features a costume competition.
The free Stay In School Concert will be held on Aug. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Talented youngsters will take part by playing steelpan, performing hip hop and soca, displaying fashions and demonstrating martial arts.
Later that day comes the big Brassfest concert. The show begins at 8 p.m. and stars Machel Montano HD, Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts, Willie Villegas Salsa Band, Teddyson John & TJ Unit, Pumpa, Tassa Drummers, Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah.
The Junior Carnival event will be held this year on Aug. 31, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event consists of a parade (starting at Kingston Ave. and St Johns Place) through Crown Heights and a show on the Brooklyn Museum Grounds.
Panorama, the anticipated steel band competition, will also be held on Aug. 31. The show, which brings together top bands from North America vying for cash prizes, begins at 8 p.m. This year’s Panorama will feature a performance by the New York University’s Steel Orchestra.
Renowned steelpan players Robert Greenidge, Andy Narrell and Liam Teague will help wrap up the Brooklyn Museum shows with their performance at Dimanche Gras on Sept. 1. The show also features costumed Kings and Queens of the Bands, performers Calypso Rose, David Rudder and others.
Vendors seeking space along the parade route must register with WIADCA by calling (718) 467-1797. No unregistered vendors will be allowed on Eastern Parkway.
To get tickets for the Brooklyn Museum, visit www.wiadcacarnival.org, or call the WIADCA office.
St. Lucia
The St. Lucia Consulate in Manhattan helped spread word and intensify last week’s search for a missing visitor from the island nation, who was later found.
MISSING ST. LUCIAN FOUND SAFE
Fears turned to cheers when a missing 23-yead-old man from St. Lucia was found safe and sound.
St. Lucia Consul General Julian Du Bois volunteered the consulate’s resources in the search for Joash Krisner Jean, a visiting St. Lucia national who went missing July 18. Family members expressed concern because Jean suffers from major depression and did not have his medication.
But Du Bois reported on July 26 that Jean had been found.
“The Saint Lucia Consulate General in New York is delighted to report that Joash Krisner Jean, the Saint Lucian national who went missing last week has been found,” said Du Bois in a statement. “A kind Brooklyn resident was able to assist him get back to his family. Although a little disoriented when found, Mr. Jean appears in good spirits.
“The Consulate would like to thank all who assisted in any way in locating him; we wish to particularly note the great enthusiasm displayed by persons during the search,” said the consul general. “We do wish Mr. Jean well and hope that he fully enjoys the rest of his holiday here in the U.S.”
The News of St. John.com website reported that USVI authorities cited and fined New York interior designer Tony Ingrao.
INTERIOR DESIGNER CITED FOR OUTDOOR MESS IN U.S.V.I.
High-end New York interior designer Tony Ingrao, who owns property in the U.S. Virgin Islands, was allegedly cited by the authorities for making illegal alternations on his St. John property, which included excavating and land clearing in National Park grounds, reported News of St. John.com publisher Jenn Manes-Wilcox, who wrote about the charges last week on the website.
Ingrao is the owner of Ingrao Antiques and Fine Art, located in a three-story structure on E. 64th St. According the News of St. John.com. According to the July 23 Manes-Wilcox article, Ingrao was ordered to pay a $10,500 fine.
Visit newsofstjohn.com/2013/07/23/dpnr-issues-notice-of-violation-for-denis-bay-property for the full story.
