NEW YORK (AP) — The annual West Indian American Day Parade stepped off in New York City on Monday with brightly colored costumes, steel bands, flag waving and street dancing.
People wear horns to embody a character called "Jab Jab" (from the french for Devil) in a Caribbean street carnival starting at dawn called J'Ouvert on September 4, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough in New York City. J'Ouvert originates from the French words "jour ouvert," meaning daybreak and signals the start of Carnival. Carnival is the traditional street festival honoring the vast heritage and culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Photo credit Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
The Brooklyn parade is the culmination of carnival week and one of the world’s largest celebrations of Caribbean culture. The parade routinely attracts more than 1 million people for what has become one the city's most spirited annual events.
People wear horns to embody a character called "Jab Jab" (from the french for Devil) in a Caribbean street carnival starting at dawn called J'Ouvert on September 4, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough in New York City. J'Ouvert originates from the French words "jour ouvert," meaning daybreak and signals the start of Carnival. Carnival is the traditional street festival honoring the vast heritage and culture of the Caribbean diaspora.
Photo credit Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
People participate in the West Indian American Day Parade marking the Labor Day in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City on September 04, 2023.
Photo credit Leonardo Munoz / AFP) (Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images
A separate street party known as J’Ouvert, commemorating freedom from slavery, began in the early morning hours.
The main parade started later in the morning and featured steel drum players, stilt walkers and dancers wearing flamboyant costumes.
People wearing costumes take part in the Labor Day Parade, also known as West Indian Carnival, an annual celebration held on American Labor Day (the first Monday in September) in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, United States on September 4, 2023. The carnival attracts thousands of participants with colorful costumes accompanied with native music.
Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
People wearing costumes take part in the Labor Day Parade, also known as West Indian Carnival, an annual celebration held on American Labor Day (the first Monday in September) in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, United States on September 4, 2023. The carnival attracts thousands of participants with colorful costumes accompanied with native music.
Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams were among the elected officials who either showed up for the parade or marched in it.
Hundreds of thousands of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants have settled in Brooklyn and have helped turn the Labor Day celebration into a must-see event.
The parade returned last year after a pandemic-induced hiatus.
Featured Image Photo Credit: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
