The 41st annual West Indian–American Day Carnival will be held on Eastern Parkway between Utica Avenue and Grand Army Plaza on Monday, September 1, 2008 starting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Governor Patterson and Mayor Bloomberg at Utica Ave & Eastern Parkway at 11AM and continuing until 6PM
The Carnival Parade takes over Eastern Parkway during Labor Day weekend, with events Thursday through Monday. The famous Carnival parade -- probably the largest parade in North America -- takes place on Labor Day (always a Monday) along Eastern Parkway between Utica Avenue and Grand Army Plaza / Flatbush Avenue Extension.
The best way to get to the Parade is to use the subway:
or trains to Grand Army Plaza or Utica Avenue
or the train to Utica Avenue.
The police department wants you to know that subway riders planning to attend the parade are strongly urged to avoid the Nostrand Avenue and Franklin Avenue stations on the 2 and 5 lines, due to the crowding that is expected at those stations. No trains will stop at the Eastern Parkway / Brooklyn Museum station, for the same reason.
Driving to the parade is very strongly discouraged. Parking is already very tight in this neighborhood on a "normal" day, and during the parade the police block off a lot of additional parking spaces and they will tow away illegally parked cars! You don't want to come back from the parade and find your car missing.... DO NOT DRIVE TO THE PARADE!
Expect LARGE crowds, street closures, and NYPD crowd control measures very similar to Times Square / New Years Eve!
For the full event schedule and directions, click "read more" below...
2008 EVENT SCHEDULE
All concerts are held at the Brooklyn Museum grounds,
900 Washington Ave, Brooklyn.
For other info, go to www.wiadca.org
Thursday, August 28th, 6:00pm (doors open) Showtime - 7:00pm Tickets in advance $20 At the Door:$25
LADIES NIGHT
Artists: Fayann Lyons, Lima Calibo & Nadia Batson (from T&T), Tizzy (from Antigua), Zoelah (from St Vincent) Dance Troupe and much more
T&T 2008 Road March Queen, Fayann Lyons, leads the female all-star lineup at the event that kicks off the weekend’s Caribbean festivities along with Ole Mas, Characters & Individuals of the costume bands competition.
Friday, August 29th, Noon to 4:00pm
STAY IN SCHOOL CULTURAL EDUCATION - FREE! MC: Father Goose
Featuring youthful performers
Hip Hop, Steelband, Dance, Fashions, Karate, Police Youth Club, Gowanus Drill Team, Harlem Children’s Zone, Soul Tigers Marching Band, Pink Diamond Steppers and more! Friday 29th – (Evening) Showtime – 8:00pm: Tickets in advance $35: At the Door: $40
BRASS FEST (GYAL FARM Edition)
Artists – Shurwayne Winchester & Traffik, KES the Band, Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah and Statement (from Barbados) Berbice (from Grenada) and Hunter singing “Bring it in a Bottle” with Dil-E-Nadan Orchestra (special prize for the best dressed -farmer brown outfit)
Saturday, August 30th, 8am – 3pm Children FREE (Adults $5 donation)
Route: Kingston Ave & St. Johns Pl, to Franklin Ave Sooutn, to President St, into Brooklyn Museum Grounds
Saturday August 30th, 8PM Tickets in advance $30 At the Door: $35
Steel Bands: (2007 Champions) - Pan Sonatas, CASYM, Sesame Flyers, Despers USA, Harmony, Crossfire, Pantonics, Ad Lib and Radoes.
Sunday, August 31st, 7PM Tickets in advance $30 At the Door: $35
DIMANCHE GRAS
Artists – David Rudder, Scrunter, Crazy, Barron, Hunter and others along with a dazzling competition for King & Queen of the Bands
The Sunshine Band & Calypso veterans perform, Kings & Queens compete and Dancers entertain to conclude the weekend concert events leading to the big Labor Day Carnival Parade.
Monday, September 1, 11AM-6PM: West-Indian American Labor Day Carnival Parade
(See above for details)
Street Closures by NYPD: The following streets will be closed for the 2008 parade day:
* Southbound traffic from Atlantic Ave to Eastern Pkwy, between Utica and Flatbush Aves
* Northbound traffic from Empire Blvd to Eastern Pkwy between Utica & Flatbush Aves
* Northbound traffic on Flatbush Ave from Church Ave to Grand Army Plaza
* Southbound traffic on Flatbush Ave from Grand Army Plaza to Empire Blvd
* Southbound traffic on Ocean Ave from Empire Blvd to Parkside Ave
* Northbound traffic on Ocean Avenue from Parkside Ave to Empire Blvd
For a lot of great photos of Carnival, check out Flickr
NYC Marathon
or 
trains to Grand Army Plaza or Utica Avenue
train to Utica Avenue.
