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    Despite heavy thundershowers, the 59th West Indian American Day Carnival kicked off on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “Rain couldn’t stop us, and rain certainly couldn’t stop the celebration,” Trinidadian Rhea Smith, a member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), organizer of the largest Caribbean parade, on Labor Day Monday, in North America, told Caribbean Life.  She said WIADCA was “proud to celebrate the kickoff of our 59th Annual New York Carnival Week surrounded by our community stakeholders, partners, elected officials, and community members. “We received the rain showers as blessings — blessings for the safety and resilience of our community and for a spectacular Carnival Week and road ahead,” Smith said.  “We 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,” she added.  “Now, we look forward to welcoming everyone to New York Carnival Week, Sept. 3–7, 2026, as we celebrate M.A.S. (Music, Action, Soul),” Smith added. “From our cultural events to Panorama and, of course, the road, we are preparing for an extraordinary celebration of Caribbean culture in New York.” WIADCA said Gemini Production presents 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.  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.  Featured acts comprise KES the Band, WCK, Bunji Garlin, Fayann and the Viking band.   WIADCA said the Youth Fest also takes place on Saturday, Sept. 5.  “Represent your island with pride and experience a day filled with: Youth Costume Parade + Caribbean Music & Dance Performances + Island Pride Celebrations + Family-Friendly Cultural Activities,” it said.  “This 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,” it added.  WIADCA said the Junior Carnival takes place on Saturday, Sept. 5, bringing “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.” The Junior Carnival, at St. John’s Place and Kingston Avenue, starts at 9:00 a.m.  The grand parade takes place on Monday, Sept. 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.   WIADCA said the parade celebrates “all 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.  WIADCA said registration is now open for vendors and volunteers participating in the Carnival Week,  culminating with the iconic New York Carnival Parade.   “New York Carnival Week continues WIADCA’s longstanding mission of preserving and promoting Caribbean culture through music, art, food, costume, steelpan, entrepreneurship, partnership and community engagement,” it said.   “Businesses, entrepreneurs, restaurants, food vendors, artisans, and community organizations are invited to participate in one of New York City’s largest cultural celebrations along the parade route on Eastern Parkway,” it added.  For more information, contact Nadia Collins – ncollins@wiadcacarnival.org; or Rhea Smith – rsmith@wiadcacarnival.org.
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