Canarsie holds 3rd Annual Caribbean Heritage, Juneteenth Festival

The vibrancy of Caribbean culture came alive at Canarsie Park in Brooklyn on Saturday, as the Caribbean-American community celebrated the 3rd Annual Caribbean Heritage and Juneteenth Festival.

The event – which featured dances, drumming, costume displays, stilt dancers and Caribbean food, among other things – was organized by Assemblywoman Jaime Williams, the Trinidadian-born representative for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, in collaboration with US Senate Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, representative for the 8th Congressional District; State Sen. Roxanne Persaud, the Guyanese-born representative for the 19th Senate District in Brooklyn; and Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman, representative for the 58th Assembly District, also in Brooklyn, whose parents are Barbadian and Jamaican.

Patrons queuing for tasty Caribbean dishes. Photo by Nelson A. King

“By bringing all Caribbean culture together, it’s not only about steelpan and mas, but about our African culture, our Indian culture, so we can carry out our heritage,” Williams, who performed the dual role of Mistress of Ceremonies, told Caribbean Life, during the festival, stating that a number of areas school students participated in the three-hour-long ceremony.

“It’s about promoting our Black and Brown communities,” she added. “For the first time, we raised the Juneteenth Flag in the community. I always say, ‘One Caribbean, One Voice, One People’.

“Our culture is very important to me,” Williams continued.

Grenadian contingent that served the national dish “Oil Down.” Photo by Nelson A. King

Jeffries also told Caribbean Life that “this is an incredibly important month in terms of Caribbean-American Heritage and Juneteenth, and our journey.

“I’ve come here (for the festival) through the years,” he said, adding that “the Caribbean-American community is such an important part of Brooklyn and New York. So many people from the Caribbean are here.”

Persaud said she was “pleased that the community come together to celebrate our shared Caribbean Heritage and Juneteenth.

“This celebration brought together the diverse Caribbean cultures and the intersection of African American freedom from slavery,” she said. “I thank Assemblymember Jaime Williams for her leadership in this community event.”

Members of the Brooklyn-based Urban Dance Opportunity. Photo by Nelson A. King

Dr. Jean Joseph, the president of Canarsie Lions Club, said she was also happy that a group of dancers from her native Dominica, participated in the event.

“I feel proud,” said the certified public accountant (CPA). “We have to encourage succession planning to keep the culture going.”

Giving scholarships to college-bound students. Photo by Nelson A.King

Marie Nanton-Moses, the Trinidadian-born vice president of Canarsie Lions Club, described the event as “just wonderful.”

“It’ll be bigger eventually,” she said. “It’s just beautiful seeing all the different Caribbean islands together. It shows unity, and unity is strength.

“It’s a beautiful occasion, and very well done by Jaime Williams and everyone,” added Nanton-Moses.

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Nadia Bical and Assemblywoman Jaime Williams. Photo by Nelson A. King

Nadia Bical, the Guyanese-born vice president of Bical Auto Mall in Brooklyn, said she was very enthused with the celebration.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s good for the community to show different aspects of our culture. We’re showing the infusion of it all.”

Displaying a huge carnival costume. Photo by Nelson A. King

Michelle Gibbs, the Guyanese-born chairman of the Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), organizer of the annual Caribbean Carnival Parade on Labor Day on Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway, said: “I love it; it’s a community engagement – culture – bring families together.

“It’s the perfect time!” she added. “I wish we can get more people together to showcase our culture.”

Braata Productions folks singers huddle for “Banana.” Photo by Nelson A. King

After performing a medley of Caribbean folk songs, including “Long Time Gal”, “Banana” and “Evening Time,” Andrew Clarke, the Jamaican-born founder and chief executive officer of Braata Productions, said: “It was a wonderful experience just being able to bring Caribbean culture to be part of Juneteenth.”