The West Indian American Day Carnival , also known as the Labor Day Parade, is an annual event held on American Labor Day in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City. The carnival's main event is the West Indian Day Parade, which attracts millions of spectators each year. Spectators and participants watch and follow the Parade down its over two-mile long route. Several Caribbean Islands are represented in the Parade, such as Haiti and Jamaica, through elaborate costumes and street performances.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The West Indian American Day Carnival Association made their Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in the reimagined 2020 Parade. The group was selected to participate after the COVID-19 pandemic forced several Parades around New York City to be cancelled, including the West Indian American Day Parade.
The group performed a piece entitled "CaribFuturism: LOVE. CULTURE. PEOPLE," which was brought to life through traditional calypso music and a collective of acts such as Pan in Motion, Batingua Arts, Sesame Flyers and Kaisokah Moko Jumbies with Carnival Queen Kay Mason. Several flags representing all of the Caribbean countries were also flown during the performance.