CARNIVAL FESTIVAL

The Brooklyn-based Tropicalfete, Inc. brought Caribbean culture to the Brooklyn Public Library Plaza on Sunday featuring Caribbean Festival.

According to St. Lucian Alton Aimable, founder and president of Tropicalfete, Inc., the event brought “Caribbean Carnival History to life,” with over 55 performers taking the stage.

Aimable said his cultural group partnered with the Brooklyn Public Library to host the event, with Guyanese-American award-winning journalist, from Essence Magazine, Melissa Noel, serving as Mistress of Ceremonies, along with Tropicalfete’s board member Keran Deterville.

Aimable said Averi Harper, deputy political director for ABC News, was Tropicalfete’s carnival queen.

NYC Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Laurie Cumbo during Tropicalfete Carnival Festival at Brooklyn Public Library Plaza. Photo courtesy Tropicalfete, Inc./Alton Aimable

He said “the heat” was brought to the spectacular event with “fire-eating, the pageantry of our costumes, music, dance, showmanship and craftsmanship.”

The Carnival Festival also included local performers, as well as various Tropicalfete performing groups, such as Tropicalfete’s Voices, Tropicalfete’s Steel Pan Ensemble, Tropicalfete’s Stilting Unit, Tropicalfete’s Body of Vibration Limbo, Dance & Theater, and Tropicalfete’s Masquerade production.

Among attendees were New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants; Council Member Farah N. Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, who represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn; and Laurie Cumbo, former City Council Member and current commissioner of NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

“Carnival, some of the roots come from slavery, and it’s a part of emancipation, freedom, and expressing yourself,” Aimable said.

Tropicalfete, Inc. hosted the festival for the second successive year, despite its formation in 2011.