Miami carnival set for October

For more than a year, physical carnivals throughout the world were cancelled because of the covid19 pandemic.Some Carnivals adapted and held virtual-type carnivals instead of the physical festival. However, with vaccinations happening rapidly around the world and places and sectors cautiously reopening, one carnival committee is getting ready to host the festival again.

At the time of writing, the US had fully vaccinated 38.6 per cent of its population according to ourworldindata.org. In a media release the Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee (MBOCHC) and the South Florida Carnival Bandleaders Association announced that the 37th annual Miami Carnival Cultural festival will be hosted on Columbus Day Weekend. The US' Columbus Day will be on October 11.

The release said the producers of Miami carnival were given the green light to advance planning for the 2021 celebrations after working with county medical and park department officials in Miami-Dade and Broward County. "With guest safety as the highest priority, the Miami Broward Carnival One Host Committee (MBOCHC) will promote and implement an event plan of reduced capacity in adherence with recommended CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) covid guidelines.

"As local covid19 positivity rates continue to decline from the increased per cent of vaccinated persons, Miami Carnival may be permitted to increase attendance capacity and relax specific protocols," the release said. It quoted MBOCHC chair Joan Hinkson-Justin as saying that the committee was excited to be able to host Miami carnival in person again. "We have missed being able to present our pageantry, music, and Caribbean culture with everyone.

Our committee has been diligently working with both Miami -Dade, and Broward counties to ensure that we can plan our cultural event, with the health and safety of our stakeholders and patrons as a key part of that plan," she said.

The South Florida Carnival Band Leaders Association also said it was pleased to once again work with the MBOCHC to plan "a safe and well-desired carnival." The 2021 Miami Carnival Showcase will take place on June 5. Vienna Carnival was one physical Carnival held last year.

Checks on the West Indian American Day Carnival Association's (WIADCA) website showed that there was no statement as to whether or not there would be a Labour Day Parade this year. It was held virtually last year and is expected to be held on September 6.