Children embrace Caribbean culture at Brooklyn children's carnival

children took center stage on Saturday as part of the weekend-long celebrations in a vibrant display of music, dancing, and Caribbean pride, leading up to the West Indian American Day Carnival. While Monday’s parade is the main event, Saturday was dedicated to the children, offering them an opportunity to showcase their heritage.

“This is a way to celebrate and enjoy all West Indians and any type of culture and helps to celebrate and appreciate where we’re from,” said 11-year-old Taylor-Skye Hines. “And show the world all our different types of styles and traditions.”

Young participants donned elaborate costumes and marched through the streets of Crown Heights, mimicking the grandeur of the main carnival in a scaled-down version tailored just for them. “I guess it’s just a way to like express yourself with all the costumes and the dancing and its culture,” remarked 14-year-old Anyla Blackett. “And you can just make your own costumes, so I feel like that’s really cool.”

Even the youngest children were involved in the festivities. Upon reaching the finish line behind the Brooklyn Museum, they were met with more food, fun, and celebration.

“It is a fantastic event because it is done by children,” noted Cecile Ford, board secretary and chair of the Mas Committee of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association. “It’s about how they portray their culture. They are from Caribbean descent, portraying our culture here in New York.”

The weekend’s activities will culminate on Monday with the grand parade on Eastern Parkway, where crowds will gather to witness an array of elaborate floats, bands, costumes, and Caribbean cuisine.