Written: Albert Terc
Photos: Albert Terc
One of the largest communities in Brooklyn comes out to celebrate their music, fashion and culture along the almost 2 mile parade route on Eastern Parkway each Labor Day. The West Indian Day parade brings out well over a million people to sing, dance, eat, and enjoy all things Caribbean. Once you start walking along Eastern Parkway, the aroma of all kinds of seasoned foods entices you to get a plate of jerk chicken, or roti or any of the many other offerings from the hundreds of vendors available. The West Indian Day Parade, otherwise known as Carnival, is celebrated in September because it is too cold in NYC when it’s celebrated in the Caribbean. The original parades were more of a fashion show and it has evolved into a highlight of Caribbean culture, music, dance and fashion. I was able to meet an West Indian Day Parade Veteran that designs many of the clothes each year for her group. Sandra Bell was happy to once again show off her bright colors and share her creative spirit with the crowd.
In recent years, the group that kicks off the big parade has been the NYPD Brass Band playing upbeat tunes with steel drums to let everyone know the party is about to start. In a parade of this size all the big politicians come out to greet the crowd including NY Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, US Senate Majority Leader from NY Chuck Schumer, and NY Attorney General Leticia James. Once they passed by, then all the fun really started. Each group of marchers and masqueraders present their best cultural representation to a panel of judges set up in front of the Brooklyn Museum just passed Washington St. Tractor trailers with huge speakers are directed across from the stage and the presenters do their best to impress the judges.
Along the 2 mile stretch of the parade route, marchers set the tone for the rest of the day. One group, Brooklyn United, greeted the crowd with their stepping and loud drum corp. Typical of the larger groups was the Big Boy Float. They had a large tractor trailer with huge speakers and music to get the crowd on both sides of the wide Eastern Parkway up and dancing. In this parade, if you find a group you like, you can hop over the metal railing and join them all the way to Washington St. where the judges panel is. Then you can hop on a train a few stops and get out on Eastern Parkway and do it all over again. It really is the only parade in NYC you can do that in, provided you don’t mind feeling like cattle because it gets really packed with people waving their flags and dancing.
Once the masqueraders make it to the grand stage, they perform for the strict judges. One of the many things this parade is known for is the energy…high energy all the way. West Indian people have a reputation for working hard and partying just as hard. Once the masqueraders got their chance to show off their dance moves, the energy level hit the top. One group of Carnival Dancers just went wild with high energy and sizzling dance moves. The Enchanted Garden Group had various displays of lovely flowers all bursting with color and honey for the crowd to check out. In my opinion, the best group had an amazing choreographic presentation and stood out amongst the other groups far and away. Sesame Carnival brought their A game to the stage and blew away the judges with their over the top performance. I hope to see them year after year.
This is one of the best cultural parades in the city and draws millions of people. When you take in the food, the music, the dancing, the costumes, and the positive vibe from the event, you walk away feeling good for days. It is one of the must see parades in NYC. See ya next year.
NYC Parade Life 