Despite heavy thundershowers, the 59th West Indian American Day Carnival kicked off on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Brooklyn Children\u2019s Museum.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cRain couldn\u2019t stop us, and rain certainly couldn\u2019t stop the celebration,\u201d Trinidadian Rhea Smith, a member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), organizer of the largest Caribbean parade, on Labor Day Monday, in North America, told Caribbean Life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She said WIADCA was \u201cproud to celebrate the kickoff of our 59th Annual New York Carnival Week surrounded by our community stakeholders, partners, elected officials, and community members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe received the rain showers as blessings \u2014 blessings for the safety and resilience of our community and for a spectacular Carnival Week and road ahead,\u201d Smith said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are especially grateful for the continued support of our elected officials, community partners, sponsors, and stakeholders who stand with us in preserving and advancing this important Caribbean-American cultural tradition,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, we look forward to welcoming everyone to New York Carnival Week, Sept. 3\u20137, 2026, as we celebrate M.A.S. (Music, Action, Soul),\u201d Smith added. \u201cFrom our cultural events to Panorama and, of course, the road, we are preparing for an extraordinary celebration of Caribbean culture in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n
WIADCA said Gemini Production presents Blocko Mania on Labor Day Thursday, Sept. 4, from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, featuring live performances by Black Dan, Edwin Yearwood, Mical Teja, Iwer George, Rikki Jai, Jadel, Anika Berry and much more artists to be added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gemini Production also presents Soca Fest Music Festival on Labor Day Friday, Sept. 4, from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., at the Brooklyn Museum.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
Featured acts comprise KES the Band, WCK, Bunji Garlin, Fayann and the Viking band.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
WIADCA said the Youth Fest also takes place on Saturday, Sept. 5.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\u201cRepresent your island with pride and experience a day filled with: Youth Costume Parade + Caribbean Music & Dance Performances + Island Pride Celebrations + Family-Friendly Cultural Activities,\u201d it said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis exciting cultural showcase brings together young people and families from across the Caribbean community to honor our shared legacy while inspiring future generations to embrace and celebrate their roots,\u201d it added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WIADCA said the Junior Carnival takes place on Saturday, Sept. 5, bringing \u201ctogether young people and families from across the Caribbean community to honor our shared legacy while inspiring future generations to embrace and celebrate their roots.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Junior Carnival, at St. John\u2019s Place and Kingston Avenue, starts at 9:00 a.m.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
The grand parade takes place on Monday, Sept. 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
WIADCA said the parade celebrates \u201call Caribbean cultures, features Caribbean music, Carnival costumes, delicious food, and more led by our esteemed 2026 grand marshals, elected officials, cultural partners, sponsors, and our beautiful Caribbean community members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WIADCA said registration is now open for vendors and volunteers participating in the Carnival Week,\u00a0 culminating with the iconic New York Carnival Parade.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNew York Carnival Week continues WIADCA\u2019s longstanding mission of preserving and promoting Caribbean culture through music, art, food, costume, steelpan, entrepreneurship, partnership and community engagement,\u201d it said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses, entrepreneurs, restaurants, food vendors, artisans, and community organizations are invited to participate in one of New York City\u2019s largest cultural celebrations along the parade route on Eastern Parkway,\u201d it added.\u00a0<\/p>\n