The West Indian Day Parade Carnival is an annual celebration of West Indian culture, held annually on the first Monday of September in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City. It is embodied by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association. The main event is the West Indian Day Parade (also commonly known as the Labor Day Parade), which attracts between one and three million participants.
Spectators and participants watch and follow the parade along its route along Eastern Parkway. West Indian culture is colorful and multifaceted. It’s good to know, not only for educational purposes but also to understand the celebration known as the West Indian Day Parade held every Labor Day in Brooklyn. (In 2021, that means its September 4.)
The West Indies have an extraordinary range of people and places. But to simplify things a bit, it is the name of a region in the Caribbean Sea that includes the countries of the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and the Lucan Islands.
History Of West Indian Day Parade.
Jesse Waddell and some of his West Indian friends started Carnival in Harlem in the 1930s by staging costume parties in large, enclosed venues such as the Savoy, Renaissance, and Audubon Ballrooms due to the cold winter weather in February. Pre-Lenten celebrations of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and around the world This is the usual time for other related celebrations.
However, due to the nature of the carnival and the need to parade in musical costumes, indoor confinement did not work well. The first known Carnival Street Parade was held on September 1, 1947. The Trinidad Carnival Pageant Committee was a founding force behind the parade held in Harlem. The parade route was along Seventh Avenue, 110th St. The first carnival queen was Dorothy Godfrey. The committee raises money to fund the parade.
They sold advertising space and boosters, which were printed in a souvenir journal for West Indies Day, a booklet that is a memento of that first parade. Jesse Waddell Compton is presented in the Journal as “whose inspiration and initiative” was responsible for the formation of this committee. The committee consisted of Waddell Compton-Chairman; Evan H. Daniel-Vice Chairman; Conrad Matthews- Treasurer; Roy Huggins-Secretary; and Robert J. Welsh-Assistant Secretary.
Every member of the committee helps in organizing the parade. The later parade party, which was hosted by the Trinidad Carnival Pageant Committee at the Golden Gate Ballroom, was arranged by James M. Greene, another man who helped make the first Carnival parade in Harlem a success.
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Why West Indian Day Parade Is celebrated?
The West Indian Day Parade has become one of New York’s premier cultural celebrations, drawing an estimated 1 to 3 million people each year. It celebrates the cultures of many countries including but certainly not limited to -Cuba, Trinidad, and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Suriname, Belize, and the Bahamas.
The sights and sounds of the West Indian Day Parade are truly awe-inspiring floats, masquerades, costumes, music, and steel bands all in a colorful, musical, and stunning display. Butterfly shrimp, curry chicken, meat patties, coconut bread, jerk chicken, oxtail, and more all washed down with sugar cane juice, rum punch, coconut water, or ginger beer.
How to celebrate West Indian Day Parade?
There is no way to truly understand the West Indian Day Parade without experiencing it for yourself. So plan a trip now and head to Brooklyn for possibly the biggest party of your lifetime. The history of the West Indies is filled with dramatic stories that resonate today in the art and culture of the countries that encompassed it.
Pick up a book or a good documentary and learn a little about the countries represented in the West Indian Day Parade. The musical culture of the West Indies is world-renowned everything from gentle calypso to political reggae to uptempo soca. You will find something that moves you.
West Indian Day Parade culture.
Many Trinidadian calypso and soca songs refer to the Labor Day Carnival, including “Gun Play in De Parkway” by Calypso Rose, “Melly by Maestro, Labor Day Jam by Guyanese Superstars, Slingshot, and “Labor Day in Brooklyn” by Mighty Sparrow. Jay-Z refers to the Labor Day carnival in his hit song “Empire State of Mind” when he says “3 dice c-lo, 3 card monte, Labor Day parade, rest in peace, Bob Marley”.
Also on the Parkway are popular Haitian bands with their strong meringue-compass music, such as T-Vice, Tabu Combo, Conpa Creole/Creole La, Sweet Mickey, Phantoms, Carimi, Jacout, and DP. Express and many other popular bands.
West Indian Day Parade Message.
Every year the West Indian Day parade has more elaborate costumes and especially masks. Participants invest both money and time in coming up with themes, costumes, and floats for the festival. Face masks, which are often very large in size, come in a variety of styles inspired by natural and spiritual elements, mythical creatures, political events, and popular culture.
The artistic and historical value of the parade cannot be denied and outstanding costumes are recognized with various awards. We have to send a message On West Indian Day Parade.
- The only way to enjoy West Indian Parade Day is to get out of your house and enjoy the colorful carnival with everyone. Have a day full of celebrations.
- The occasion of West Indian Parade Day is also about partying and understanding the vibrant culture of the West Indian people. Best wishes to all on this day.
- If you haven’t experienced a larger-than-life event then the West Indian Parade is all you need to attend and you will be amazed.
West Indian Day Parade Wish.
Most importantly, though, parades show participants’ pride in their country, heritage, and culture. This entry was contributed by a student at Columbia University and documented in Art History W3897, African American Art in the 20th and 21st Centuries, taught by Professor Kelly Jones in 2008. We have to send a Greeting message on this special West Indian Day parade. Let’s see what kind of greeting message is On the West Indian Day parade.
- On the occasion of West Indian Parade Day, let’s teach our kids some facts associated with this day and the culture that celebrates it.
- Happy West Indian Parade Day to all. May this day be filled with the highest spirits and the most beautiful colors.
- Best wishes to all on the occasion of West Indian Parade Day. It is the most awaited parade and celebration and cannot afford to miss it.
West Indian Day Parade Status.
Social media is the biggest medium of communication in today’s age through social media we can easily communicate with people from any part of the world and inform them about our location. People from any part of the world can know about this day’s historical tradition and how to celebrate this day let’s know what kind of status we can share
- On the occasion of West Indian Parade Day, let us step out of our homes and be a part of the most cheerful and colorful celebration of the year.
- Have a colorful day with the family and visit the historical place on West Indian parade day.
- The West Indian Parade day is a day of great importance to Indians as it is a day of joy and pride.
FAQ About West Indian Day Parade.
When is the West Indian Day Parade celebrated?
Ans: West Indian Day Parade is celebrated on September 4. Source-Wikipedia
Why West Indian Day Parade celebrated?
Ans: It celebrates the cultures of many countries including but certainly not limited to -Cuba, Trinidad, and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Suriname, Belize, and the Bahamas. The sights and sounds of the West Indian Day Parade are truly awe-inspiring floats, masquerades, costumes, music, and steel bands all in a colorful, musical, and stunning display.
How to celebrate West Indian Day Parade celebrated?
Ans: West Indian Day Parade without experiencing it for yourself. So plan a trip now and head to Brooklyn for possibly the biggest party of your lifetime. The history of the West Indies is filled with dramatic stories that resonate today in the art and culture of the countries that encompassed it. Pick up a book or a good documentary, and learn a little about the countries represented in the West Indian Day Parade.
Many slaves brought the tradition of African outdoor ceremonies to the Caribbean. However, once enslaved, they were prohibited from holding public celebrations, even involving their slaves in street parades such as Mardi Gras. Once freed, former slaves started their own street celebrations, combining elements of African and European culture.
The costumes for this celebration become bigger and more spectacular as the parades become louder and wilder, mingling with the rhythm of the music. As the Caribbean people migrated to North America, they brought this new type of carnival with them.
In the 1920s in New York, a Trinidadian immigrant, Mrs. Jessie Waddle, began organizing a carnival celebration before Lent in February or March. Due to New York’s cold winter weather, these celebrations primarily took place indoors at venues such as the Savoy, Renaissance, and Audubon Ballrooms.
Eventually, indoor locations became a problem because of their limitations on the movement and freedom that defined carnival. Waddle applied for and received street parade permits in the 1940s and moved the celebrations to a warmer time of year, Labor Day.
