Antigua and Barbuda had a starring role in the West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday as an official sponsor of the event.
Dean Fenton, the country’s USA Director of Tourism, did a live interview with US TV and used the opportunity to promote Antigua and Barbuda’s Carnival.
“The parade’s artistic and historical significance is undeniable, with exceptional costumes. Most importantly, the parade showcases participants’ pride in their country, heritage, and culture,” he said.
Fenton explained that while the West Indian American Day Parade has its roots in more traditionally timed, pre-Lent celebrations, “the Carnival that we stage in Antigua and Barbuda celebrates emancipation from slavery, and we invite all your viewers to it”.
The Brooklyn-based parade saw thousands of revellers dancing and marching along Eastern Parkway in one of the world’s largest celebrations of Caribbean culture.
Now in its 57th year, the annual event turns the area into a kaleidoscope of feather-covered costumes and colourful flags as participants make their way down the thoroughfare alongside floats stacked high with speakers playing soca and reggae music.
A collaboration between the twin island nation and PIX11 News saw two Antigua and Barbuda models dressed in Carnival costumes on the PIX11 float. Swag branded with the Tourism Authority’s logo was distributed to revellers, and Antigua and Barbuda destination advertising was displayed during the commercial breaks of the broadcast in a bid to woo more vacationers to visit.
