Rockaway: Destination of the week
“Everyone Is Allowed To Be Caribbean!”
By Anthony O’reilly From The Wave
State Senator Sanders hosts third annual Rockaway Carnival
Photo by Anthony O’Reilly
This year’s lively parade kicked off at Beach 20th Street and Seagirt Boulevard, before heading down Mott Avenue to Beach Channel Drive. It ended at Bayswater Park, where there was food, Caribbeanthemed apparel and more for sale.
Sanders said the festival was started to honor the contributions of the Caribbean community, a growing diaspora on the peninsula and throughout Queens.
“Just for today only, everyone is allowed to be Caribbean,” Sanders said as he walked around, greeting parade-goers. “Every year it’s getting bigger… We get a chance to bring all of the people from every community together.”
The parade has also become a preview of sorts for the city’s largest Caribbean carnival, the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, scheduled for Sept. 2, 2019.
“We said, you know what, let’s do it in Queens fashion,” Sanders said. All in all, the Rockaway carnival was a success as people danced the afternoon away with DJs and live bands.
State Sen. James Sanders Jr., joined by former Queens District Attorney candidate Tiffany Caban, addressed the crowd. Photos by Anthony O’Reilly
The Far Rockaway-based and World Double Dutch-winning Stan’s Pepper Steppers show off some of their skills before the start of the parade.
Mark Walters and Tanya Bynoe show off their colorful, Caribbean-inspired outfits.
DJ Phatz provided hours of music along the parade route
Singh’s Street Vibes, a Lawrence-based auto sound business, showed off one of its hot rods for the crowds.
Democratic District Leader Richard David, who represents parts of Rockaway, led a small group.
The St. John’s Episcopal Hospital was one of the most enthusiastic floats, with dancers moving to the beat for the entire parade.
The team at Jamaica-based Cassey’s Cookies and Cobblers had plenty of sweets up for sale at the end of the parade.
Members of the Rockaway Ravens sports club march along Mott Avenue.
For more on this story go to: https://www.rockawave.com/articles/everyone-is-allowed-to-be-caribbean/
