One of North America's largest Caribbean carnival celebrations, it typically attracts nearly one million people.
- Sep 4, 2018
AceShowbiz - It's a colorful Labor Day in Brooklyn as the annual West Indian Day Parade was held on Monday, September 3 at Crown Heights. Thousands of revelers took part in one of North America's largest Caribbean carnival celebrations, wearing African-themed costumes and dancing on the streets.
The parade began shortly after 11 A.M. under heavy security to prevent any kind of violence that has overshadowed the parade in past years. But that didn't dampen the spirit of the festivalgoers. "I'm ready to go," said Paul Payne of Boerum Hill, as he sat on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library playing a guiro, a Latin American percussion instrument. "I'm ready to party."
Karen Harris, who ran the food stall at Sherm's, across from the Brooklyn Museum, described the festivity, "It's about the costumes, the music, the entertainment, the people, the colors. It's all about the colors."
Take a look at scenes from the parade below.
1. The annual celebration is known for its vibrant and iridescent spectacle
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
2. It brings colors to the streets of Crown Heights
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
3. The intricate and colorful costumes is the major attraction
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
4. It is 'about having a good time and celebrating, getting together'
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
5. The party mood is on
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
6. Dance, music and food are part of it
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
7. The parade is held along Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
8. It features steel pan bands and marchers covered in paint or oil
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
9. The revelers ride on brightly decorated floats
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
10. All the cultures are coming together
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
11. The parade shows diversity
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
12. The black people, the white people, the African people, the Caribbean people are gathering together
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
13. Its origins dated to Harlem in the 1940s
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
14. It's held under tight security
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
15. The parade has been marked with violence in previous years
Scene from the 2018 Labor Day Parade.
