According to WIADCA’s President Thomas Bailey, this year’s 45th West Indian American Day Carnival Association 2012 Carnival Festival and events will honor and recognize the historic occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.
Jamaica’s Reggae superstar, Mr. Vegas, will join Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Maestro, Machel Montano on stage in an event designed to honor both Caribbean nations for achieving such important milestones in their national development.
Here is the 2012 Labor Day Carnival Festival Program:
Thursday 8/30 – All levels of Mas competitions, from “ole mas” to Kings & Queens of the bands. Program includes top calypso artists.
Friday 8/31 – For the first time in many years, Soca & Reggae will headline the popular Brass Fest. On stage will be Trinidad’s premier Soca Maestro, Machel Montano and Reggae/Dancehall superstar, Mr. Vegas along with a huge cast of some of the Caribbean’s best top notch performers including Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts, WCK and Young Devyn.
Friday 8/31 – (Daytime) Youth Stay In School Program – FREE!
Saturday 9/1 - (Daytime) Junior Carnival and Competition. Children under 5 FREE. All others -$2 donation. Followed by WIADCA’s eagerly awaited Steelband Panorama Competition
Sunday night 9/2 -Dimanche Gras, All-Star line-up includes Calypso Rose, Shadow, King Ajamu, Black Stalin and many others along with winners of all competitions, Something Positive Dance Troupe, and direct from Trinidad & Tobago, traditional costume characters and “pan around the neck” steel bands.
All the above concerts and events are held on the grounds of Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Prices range from $25 to $50 per ticket and can be purchased on-line at: wiadcacarnival.org or at WIADCA Office: 323 Rogers Ave in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Museum, Charlies Record Store on Fulton Street and Tropical Paradise at Utica Ave & Ave D.
Monday 9/3 – Led by Grand Marshals from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and New York along with scores of “who’s who” – including the youngest ever Grand Marshal, Machel Montano, (representing T&T) Hon. Harry Belafonte, (representing JA) and NYC Council President, Christine Quinn – New York. Invited Honorary Grand Marshals are: Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The Labor Day Carnival celebration culminates on Sept 3rd, with the gigantic Labor Day Carnival Parade when over 40 Masquerade Bands and some 3 million jubilant spectators and supporters from around the world converge on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn from Schenectady Ave to Grand Army Plaza, starting at 8 am.
To view photos of the 2012 WIADCA Labor Day Launch at NYC’s Borough Hall, visit HERE.
WIADCA has met with NYPD (Brooklyn North & South Commands) and have been assured that very security precaution will be taken to protect masqueraders, spectators, and other participants throughout the Festival and Parade. Assistant Chief Thomas Chan has made it clear that the protection of the general public is assured and the safety of everyone attending the festival is his top priority.
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