Watch #Bahamas40ATl Above for our first cultural trip to Jacksonville
Jacksonville Carnival 2022
After a decade, we returned to Jacksonville to witness the connection between the United States and the Caribbean diaspora. Aug 11-14, 2022 we explored the Jacksonville Carnival experience featuring Tifa, Mic Love, Skinny Fabulous, Jedel and Adam O to name a few. The featured Saturday road march was met with inclement weather, with heavy rains from 1- 4pm and scattered showers throughout the evening. However, the show continued on. Masquaders chipped down the parade route in costume with the occasional spectator joining in to take a photo or dance. Unfortunately, in the end the rain won. In true Caribbean fashion the show powered on with delays.
Capturing Jacksonville Northbank Riverwalk & Downtown
Friday, Aug. 12, 2022
At the intersection of culture and history, Jacksonville Carnival should be at the top of your list for must-do carnivals in the United States. Jacksonville was one of the first stops on the underground railroad. Thousands of United States (African) slaves fled captivity by taking boats from ports in south Georgia and central Florida to parts of the Caribbean in search of freedom. Jacksonville Carnival embodies a rich shared history that we have yet to uncover and explore. Carnival is more than music and debauchery. It symbolizes freedom and a rebirth. While portions of the celebration derive from pagan worship, the captive people used these celebrations as an opportunity to incorporate their native customs and beliefs. In the traditional form, it is a Catholic and Greek Orthodox celebration. However, it has been widely adopted by the people of the Caribbean with an adaptation to African roots.
Saturday. Aug. 13, 2022 Carnival Day
What makes Jacksonville carnival unique in nature?
Jacksonville Caribbean Festival, was launched in downtown Jacksonville in 2005.
The Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival, is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness, understanding, open dialogue, and appreciation of Caribbean people and our culture on the First Coast.
Quote from the president of Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival
I want to convey to the world through Jacksonville Carnival that Carnival was born out of slavery, when slaves got one day off a year [they would mock their masters by] dressing up like them. Now Carnival has become a cultural spectacle to be celebrated wherever Caribbeans has migrated around the world.
Theo Jack, Jr., President of Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival. #JaxtotheMax
About Jacksonville Carnival
Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival aims to: Provide a forum to showcase and promote Caribbean owned businesses, and professionals on the First Coast. Promote Caribbean art, dance, music, theater, and cuisine on the First Coast. Establish a scholarship fund to provide academic scholarships to students of Caribbean descent on the First Coast. Provide education and information on the various Caribbean nations, including history, current day-to-day life, and opportunities for individuals and businesses on the First Coast to develop cross-cultural relationships within these nations. Create a School teaching steel drum playing, costume design and production for the Jacksonville community. Be recognized by the City of Jacksonville as a leader in the community, bringing individuals together and promoting multi-cultural awareness.
Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival: Hosts an annual Caribbean style carnival and parade each year.They invite participation from various cultural groups, high schools, colleges, and civic organizations around the First Coast. The Carnival parade showcases costumes from around the Caribbean, native dance, and the sweet sound of calypso and steel drums heard throughout the Caribbean. The Carnival parade culminates in a Festival in the park featuring live bands, cultural performances, and vendors providing food, and showcasing artwork, music, and various other goods. Jacksonville’s carnival is becoming one of Florida’s most well known Caribbean carnivals, drawing participants from around the state, Georgia, and other East Coast states. Participates in World of Nations sponsored by the City of Jacksonville. Their members provide information on selected countries and showcases food and art from those Caribbean countries. Provides forums for people of Caribbean origin and those interested in the culture to come together for dialogue and to get to know each other in an environment open to the exchange of ideas and opinions. Host events showcasing Caribbean artists.
![Junkanoo Fest July 29, 2022 Miami Gardens Vendors, Stage and Rush Out photoscredits Agency.PlayMas.Today (Africa Allah & H.Q Willis "Major" [Major Vision Productions])](https://playmas.today/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC4210-2-800x675.jpg)
