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Masqueraders from 1199 Labor Union during the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade in 2025.Nelson A. King<\/p>\nTen of thousands of revelers and masqueraders and millions of spectators are expected on Monday, Labor Day, to converge on Brooklyn\u2019s sprawling Eastern Parkway for the 59th annual West Indian American Day Carnival Parade.<\/p>\n
The massive parade, considered the largest Caribbean parade in North America, comprises gigantic and miniature costumes worn by skimpy-clad masqueraders, begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m., along a 3 \u00bd mile-route on Eastern Parkway, starting at Buffalo Avenue and ending at Grand Army Plaza and Flatbush Avenue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Masqueraders and revelers, gyrating to the hypnotic sounds of Caribbean music \u2014 Calypso, Soca and Zouk, among others \u2014 will be under the watchful eyes of officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD), whose ubiquitous presence has been the hallmark of the parade for decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Onlookers will view the parade behind double metal barricades, as the NYPD attempt to maintain peace and security.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
A virtual Who\u2019s Who in New York politics, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are expected to participate in the Pre-Parade Breakfast at the Lincoln Terrace Court on Buffalo Avenue, and in the parade itself, seeking photo opportunities and pressing the flesh of spectators along the route.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Masqueraders and revelers will gyrate to the hypnotic sounds of Caribbean vibes emanating from humongous speakers mounted atop giant flatbed trucks and floats.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Masqueraders from 1199 Labor Union during the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade in 2025.Nelson A. King<\/p>\n
Politicians and organizations will use the opportunity to promote re-election and their businesses, respectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 59 years, the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) has proudly provided the platform for New York\u2019s Caribbean Carnival \u2014 preserving and showcasing our mas, music, steel band, food, culture, traditions and community, while creating opportunities for generations of artists, masqueraders, steel bands, cultural organizations, vendors, small businesses and entrepreneurs to participate, grow and present,\u201d said WIADCA in a statement. \u201cWe encourage our community to celebrate responsibly and respectfully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur parade is a Carnival Parade, rooted in the traditions of mas, music, steel band, movement, creativity and cultural expression,\u201d it added. \u201cWe ask everyone joining us on Eastern Parkway to respect safety, respect the masqueraders, respect the bands, respect the Carnival Parade, and help us preserve the space that has allowed our culture to shine for 59 years and counting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFifty-nine years of culture, 59 years of community, 59 years of carnival,\u201d it said. \u201cNew York Carnival 2026: M.A.S. \u2014 Music. Action. Soul.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
WIADCA said that, among grand marshals for the parade is Julian John, the Trinidadian-born chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals\/Metropolitan.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
In his role as CEO, WIADCA said John oversees the hospital\u2019s strategic and operational initiatives, with \u201ca deep commitment to addressing the unique healthcare needs of the East Harlem community it serves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith over 20 years of executive leadership experience and more than 30 years in hospital administration, Mr. John has built an extensive career spanning financial management, operations, and corporate strategy,\u201d WIADCA said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prior to his current position, it said John served as deputy executive director and chief financial officer at NYC Health + Hospitals\/Metropolitan from 2021 to 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Masqueraders from SkyMaxx Mas behind police mesh during the West Indian American Day Carnival Day Parade in 2025.Nelson A. King<\/p>\n
Despite heavy thundershowers, the 59th West Indian American Day Carnival kicked off on Aug. 20 at the Brooklyn Children\u2019s Museum.\u00a0<\/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 WIADCA, organizer of the parade, told Caribbean Life.<\/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.,\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
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Swan Rodriguez portrays Branches and Associates\u2019 \u201cMama Africa\u201d during the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade in 2025.Nelson A. King<\/p>\n
WIADCA said Gemini Production is presenting 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 starts, at St. John\u2019s Place and Kingston Avenue, at 9:00 a.m.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
The grand parade takes place on Monday, Sept. 7, along Eastern Parkway.\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
\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.<\/p>\n
The parade will be preceded by Caribbean J\u2019Ouvert, organized by the Brooklyn-based J\u2019Ouvert City International.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ten of thousands of revelers and masqueraders and millions of spectators are expected on Monday, Labor Day, to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":336864,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[98,100,99,9,24,63],"class_list":["post-336863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn-headlines","tag-brooklyn-news","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=336863"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336863\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/336864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=336863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=336863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=336863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}