Although this year’s West Indian Day Parade — typically held every September in Crown Heights as a celebration of Caribbean culture — has been canceled, the music of the islands can never be forgotten.
West Indian Day Parade
Catholic J’Ouvert
Though the police officers did not allow anyone to go on the street to start the J’Ouvert portion of the West Indian Day Carnival Celebration until 3 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 3, Catholics started celebrating on Sunday afternoon in St. Matthew Church on Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights.
West Indian Parade Began with Mass in Crown Heights
For Catholics in Crown Heights, the annual celebration of the West Indian Festival, held annually on Labor Day, began with Mass celebrated at St. Matthew’s Church.
Skipping a Storm and Celebrating a Culture
That the West Indian Day Parade actually took place at all was something of a miracle. For days, weather forecasters had predicted dire possibilities from Hurricane Hermine. The storm took a fortunate turn out to sea and Labor Day turned out to be a beautifully sunny day along Eastern Pkwy. in Crown Heights where the annual festival is held.