Contact: Colleen Roche or Jack Deacy(212) 788-2958
"The carnival is a wonderful tradition of the Caribbean that dates back to the 1700's and was brought to our city by West Indian Immigrants who came to New York seeking a better life," said Mayor Giuliani. "Now this event has grown into one of our City's favorite celebrations with more than two million people of all nationalities attending the festivities."
"The West Indian Community adds so much to the fabric of life in New York," the Mayor continued. "Since 1990 New York City has welcomed 140,000 immigrants from the Caribbean. These new Americans have helped to reenergize and reinvigorate our neighborhoods with the spirit of hard work and ambition that are hallmarks of our City's proud immigration tradition."
The five day carnival will take place on the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum on Eastern Parkway. Events will include the first New York Caribbean Brass Orchestra Festival, an Ole Mas' caricature competition, a characters costume competition, a "Stay In School" concert for children, Reggae Festival '96, a steelband panorama competition, and a Dimanche Gras show featuring spectacularly costumed Calypso artists. On Labor Day, Monday September 2 the Carnival Parade will be held along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. More than 250 bands, colorful floats, and marchers of all ages in fantastic costumes will help celebrate the traditional carnival that originated in Trinidad and Tobago.