Brooklyn NY, July 11, 2013—The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) now in its 46th year, is set to launch its five-day Caribbean Carnival schedule for 2013. The events which are carded for August 29th through September 2nd, will feature cultural displays and entertainment from all the Caribbean Islands. 

President of WIADCA, Thomas Bailey, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Caribbean-American elected officials; corporate sponsors and special guests are expected to attend the official launch at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn on Thursday 11th July, 2013 at 12:00 noon, where the theme and format for this year's events will be revealed.  A networking reception will follow later that afternoon hosted by WIADCA with its partners, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and St Francis College  and will be held at St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street in Brooklyn Heights at 6:00 pm.
         
This annual event has become the largest cultural festival in the country, drawing over three million people each year.  New York residents and international visitors all assemble to attend one of the greatest shows on earth that kicks off annually on the Thursday before Labor Day. These events features live performances, King, Queen and individual masqueraders of the band competitions, a night dedicated to Steelpan (Panorama) competition and concludes with a colorful parade of the bands on Labor Day, where thousands of masqueraders in elaborate costumes followed by gigantic music trucks and scores of colorful floats take to Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.  Pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Zouk, Latin, Chutney and Steelpan can be heard throughout the five days of festivities. Additionally, the air is filled with tantalizing aromas of delicious Caribbean Cuisine from hundreds of vendors that line both sides of Eastern Parkway.  The Carnival Parade begins at 11 am from Schenectady Ave to Grand Army Plaza, ending at 6:00 pm.
 
The events leading up to the Carnival Parade include:
  1. Caribbean Woodstock - Features masquerade competitions and performances by artists from over a dozen Caribbean Islands, performing Soca, Calypso, Reggae, Zouk and Latin music.
  2. "Stay in School” - Youth Talent Show - FREE for all children
  3. Brass Fest – An electrifying musical performance with headliner Machel Montano HD and others
  4. Steelpan Panorama competition - Featuring a special guest performance by New York University's Steel Orchestra.
  5. Junior Carnival - Masquerade parade and competition for children under the age of 16
  6. Dimanche Gras - Features world renowned panists - Robert Greenidge, Andy Narell and Liam Teague, along with an exciting all-star cast and much more.
WIADCA is a 501 © 3, tax-exempt not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting Caribbean culture to enrich our communities and engages in year-round educational, social and cultural activities.    

WIADCA Website is: www.wiadcacarnival.org. Email: wiadcainc@gmail.com. Telephone: 718-467-1797.  Address: 323 Rogers Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225.