Caribbean Heritage celebrated at Brooklyn Borough Hall

June 26, 2023 Mary Frost

Batala New York, an all-women percussion ensemble, had folks in Borough Hall Plaza jumping during Saturday’s Caribbean Heritage Festival. Eagle photo by Mary Frost

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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso celebrated the traditions and diversity of Caribbean heritage by throwing a lively festival at Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza on Saturday. Partnering with the BP was the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), the group which sponsors Brooklyn’s famous West Indian American Day Parade down Eastern Parkway.

Party-goers tapped their toes to the beat of steelpan, samba drums and tunes by DJ Dr. Haze; and enjoyed dance performances, author readings, stilt walkers, face painting and free samples of Caribbean treats.

Alejandra, age 10, underwent a magical transformation at the face-painting booth at Saturday’s Caribbean Heritage Festival. Eagle photo by Mary Frost

“I’m the son of two Dominican immigrants who sacrificed everything to come here and give my siblings and me the best futures they could, so to now serve as Brooklyn’s first Caribbean American president is the privilege of a lifetime,” Reynoso said in a statement.

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month. “This is a month of pride and joy,” said Michelle Gibbs, chair of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association. She invited everyone to the upcoming Carnival Parade on Eastern Parkway on Labor Day.