PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (WABC) — People are already partying in the streets of Brooklyn as the Caribbean Carnival festivities leading up to the parade have been going strong all weekend.
Early Monday, the cultural celebration of J’ouvert begins.
“I’m originally from Jamaica so it’s going to be a great experience listening to the music and participating in the parade,” said Bianca Brown.
“My parents are originally from Haiti and I grew up hearing these vibes, hearing this music, and it’s always just been a way for us to get together and enjoy each other’s company,” said Betty Louis.
The flags of Caribbean nations will be waving proudly along Eastern Parkway. As the celebration starts before dawn with J’ouvert, followed by the New York Caribbean Carnival – with traditional costumes, music, and dance performances – transporting Brooklyn to the islands.
WABC-TV is a proud sponsor of the Caribbean Carnival. Watch the parade live on Monday, September 4 starting at 11:00 a.m. wherever you stream ABC 7 New York.
“It’s just an exciting time for the community. This Carnival is one of the largest carnivals in America, but it also brings in 300 million dollars of revenue activity for the weekend, so it’s a very exciting time for the Caribbean American community,” said Assemblymember Brian Cunningham.
The whole weekend of events included Panorama on Saturday night – recreating a tradition from Trinidad with a competition of steelpan musicians who came up with elaborate arrangements.
“It comes from classical music, so it’s like listening to a symphony orchestra of steel,” said Steel Sensation musician Tristan Japsi.
“Steelpan represents a bit of turning into your spirituality and really just joining in as a community and really embracing ourselves and our culture,” added Louis.
The Kiddies Carnival will be held for the youngest in the community exploring traditions.
J’ouvert celebrations in the morning at Grand Army Plaza and the parade later in the day along the Parkway are major security events for the NYPD, making sure to keep weapons and alcohol out of the mix with checkpoints.
This year’s police presence features the debut of drones, which can get to a location within seconds when police are called to help disperse crowds with 50 different prerecorded messages.
The drones will also help police decide whether to deploy more resources. Mayor Adams and the NYPD insisted on Friday that the drones will only be sent in response to 911 calls and not to spy on anyone’s backyard barbecue.
Sunday’s event is called Sunrise Day Soiree – it is a showcase of Caribbean food, fashion, and music, but it is laid back and ends early to give people time to get in some rest before the early morning festivities. It also is a chance to put the final prep work into Monday’s homemade food and costumes – so much time, love, and effort go into those.
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