OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE BOROUGH OF KINGS
BY KEVIN DUGGAN
J’Ouvert and the West Indian
Day Parade returned in a scaledback
format to the streets of Brooklyn
on Labor Day, Sept. 6.
Organizers had originally called
off the festivities last week due to a
resurgence of COVID-19 infections,
but groups — both offi cial and unoffi
cial — decided to celebrate Caribbean
American culture in smaller
COURIER LIFE, S 32 EPTEMBER 10-16, 2021
numbers, with steel band music
and colorful costumes taking over
Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway.
“New York City is proud to be
home to one of the largest West Indian
populations anywhere,” wrote
Mayor Bill de Blasio on social media
Monday. “Today’s parade had to
look a little different than in years
past, but the strength and spirit of
this vibrant community is as powerful
as ever before.”
New York City is proud to be
home to one of the largest West Indian
populations anywhere.
In the early hours of Monday
morning, revelers took to the street
to kick off the day’s carnival with
some unsanctioned J’Ouvert celebrations
in the borough.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and First
Lady Chirlane McCray joined the
West Indian Day Parade on Eastern
Parkway and Nostrand Avenue later
that day along with other electeds
like Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer.
Parade-goers of all ages fl ocked
to the central Brooklyn thoroughfare
in feathered garb and body
paint.
On Aug. 30, organizers proclaimed
that the events would not
return in their full glory for the second
year due to concerns of spreading
the coronavirus, joining a growing
list of annual parades that were
called off amid rising COVID-19
cases, such as the Mermaid Parade
in Coney Island.
After virtual parades in 2020, organizers
pivoted to a hybrid format
this year, with smaller events and
some virtual happenings, all in the
theme of rebirth to show optimism
for next year when the party planners
hope to bring back the events
in full swing.
“I know we’re all disheartened
by this, but unfortunately, our parade
on Eastern Parkway is canceled,”
said West Indian American
Day Carnival Association Chairperson
Michelle Gibbs at an Aug. 30
press conference. “But that doesn’t
say that carnival is not going to continue.”
Still shining
Revelers still fl ock to J’Ouvert and
West Indian Carnival aft er cancelation
Photos clockwise from top left: David Dee Delgado, Lloyd Mitchell, Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Offi ce