Atlanta Caribbean Carnival celebrates cultural diversity

Atlanta – The city of Atlanta was filled with vibrant colours, rhythms and a celebration of cultural diversity at the annual Atlanta Caribbean Carnival over the Memorial Day weekend.

This event brought together thousands of people from various backgrounds to revel in rich Caribbean traditions and heritage, a media release said.

The 36th edition of the event which is produced by the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA) proved to be an overall success, and showcased a kaleidoscope of Caribbean culture, music, dance and cuisine.

The downtown Atlanta Carnival parade took centre stage with dazzling costumes from the city’s major mas bands as well as smaller and medium-sized bands which represented for other US cities and the Virgin Islands.

Soca, bouyon, reggae and other Caribbean music were featured at the event.

Following the parade of bands, masqueraders and spectators proceeded to the festival village at the Westside Park. There they savoured Caribbean cuisine, explored indigenous arts and crafts, and enjoyed onstage entertainment by an all-island cast of performers, the release said.

The post-parade concert featured energetic sets from Trinidad and Tobago’s Shal Marshal, Farmer Nappy and Squid, Barbados’ Alison Hinds and Lil Rick, Jamaica’s D’Angel, St Vincent’s Skinny Fabulous, USVI’s Pumpa, Dominica’s Asa Banton and Antigua’s Burning Flames, among others.

Commenting on the success of carnival events, ACCBA president Patricia Tonge Edigin said in the release, “I am pleased that everything ran smoothly and that everyone came out to celebrate one united Carnival. We are proud to have created a space where people from different backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and celebrate the vibrant culture of the Caribbean.”

Other highlights included US reality TV Star Martell Holt, Clarkston Mayor Beverly Burks and St Lucia’s Motto who served as the parade's grand marshals. Motto along with the ACCBA and other outstanding individuals received proclamations from the city of Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia, for their contributions to the arts and dedication to the Caribbean community.

The organisers said the carnival would not have been possible without the generous support of corporate sponsors, partners, volunteers, and the ACCBA's dedicated members whose unwavering commitment and enthusiasm contributed to the successful execution of the celebration.

The 37th Atlanta Caribbean Carnival takes place from May 24-27, 2024

More info

www.atlantacarnival.org, www.facebook.com/AtlantaCarnival and Instagram: www.instagram.com/officialatlantacarnival/