Labor Day Parade Brooklyn, NY
BROOKLYN, NY - The West Indian-American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) has been the driving force behind the West Indian Carnival Parade, more popularly known as the "Labor Day Parade." WIADCA is a not-for-profit organization which was established in 1967. Its main focus is to develop, teach and promote Caribbean arts and culture in the New York Metropolitan Area. The Labor Day Parade is an annual celebration held in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The earliest known Carnival street activity was held during the 1940’s in Harlem, but Carnival was brought to Brooklyn during the 1960’s. It has drawn over four million people from numerous countries and neighboring states alike making it the largest festival and parade in the United States. Its main event is the West Indian-American Day Parade, which is held on the first Monday in the month of September. The week long festivities are kicked off with a gala reception hosted by the Mayor of New York City at Gracie Mansion. At this reception awards are presented to outstanding corporate and business leaders. WIADCA has created the "College Scholarship Fund". This fund was expanded with the help of New York Daily News and other loyal sponsors. This scholarship fund benefits 18 to 25 year old college students. This year’s parade takes place on Monday, September 1, 2008 along Eastern Parkway from Utica Avenue to Grand Army Plaza. You can count on crowds to be waving flags from many Caribbean nations in a joyful expression of ethnic heritage and cultural pride. There will be plenty of food to taste on Carnival Day. All of Eastern Parkway will be host to various dishes from every Caribbean island. There will be stands lined up along the service roads selling jerk chicken, chicken stew, fried chicken, beef stew, oxtail, rice and peas, salad, macaroni pie, fried flying fish, curry goat, roti, callaloo, souse, salt fish, fried bake, coconut bread, and much more. There is plenty to choose from, whatever your diet may be. Radio stations, newspapers, and word of mouth are the best ways to find out what events will be taking place carnival weekend. In addition, newspapers like the NY Daily News contain a section entitled Caribbeat, which features weekly events in the Caribbean-American community. The entire weekend is devoted to special events—with a special Kiddie Carnival on Saturday, a Dimanche Gras (Fat Sunday) celebration, and an early Monday morning J’Ouvert parade which starts around 3 AM. This is a celebration of steel pan drums that kicks off the main parade on Monday beginning at 11 AM. Tip: Come out early and find a good spot where you can see clearly. Bring your flag to represent your country and have fun! Carnival time is a time for celebration, so come out and enjoy yourselves! For more information on Labor Day Parade, please visit www.wiadca.com.