West Indian American Day Parade 2009

The people of Brooklyn have been celebrating the Caribbean today, with plenty of loud music and a very colourful parade. And according to newsday.com, the reason for this was that the West Indian American Day parade was in town for its annual event.

It seemed a good way to celebrate Labor Day, with the parade making its way down the Eastern Parkway. Each year the event brings out thousands of people, for a rather boisterous celebration of the Caribbean culture including reggae beats and elaborate costumes.

Although the annual parade takes place on Labor Day, it is modeled on traditional pre-Lenten Carnival festivities. Many politicians take advantage of the festivities, to push their candidacies. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was leading this year’s parade.