This is a piece of Caribbean culture. (and No, this is not a celebration for the ill-fated Carnival Center that was built with wasted tax payers money in Miami last year). If your parents are from any of the islands in the Caribbean, then nine times out of ten you know exactly what this yearly event is. Non stop soca/reggae/ska/soca/soca music and food. Our kind of soul food, curry chicken, jerk chicken, roti, coconut water , fish tea, beef patti & coco bread, tamarind balls and the list can go on and on. This event goes on for seven days straight. Forget about the one in Brazil. It's all about the West Indian massive.
The parties (or "Fetes" - pronounced "Fets") that go on can start anywhere from 9pm and not not stop until 10am the next day. Ticket sales for these events range from 20 to around 75 dollars and the pre-sale tickets go very fast. Most are outdoor and take place in large parks or entertainment facilities. Hours upon hours people are eating, drinking while famous Caribbeans artists are coaxing attendees to "wave yuh flag". To "wave yuh flag" is the most exhilarating thing to do and the most beautiful sight to see. People are jumping in unison to blaring soca music while waving their respective island flags in the air. A sea of colors and a sea of bodies. I myself, was apart of it all. Friday night, 4:30am, soaking wet at the "Socavivor/Wave Yuh Flag Fete". Soaking wet, not by sweat, but by a downpour of rain. You would think that people would run for cover..umm..nope! The more it rained, the harder people danced, and danced and "wave yuh flag".
The weeks events lead up to the big Mas Parade and Concert. What is Mas you ask? Mas is when different groups or band have certain colors and costumes. If you are interested in joining a band, you register with them, pay a fee and wear their colors or costume. The parade showcases how well a band displays the most energy. Energy means half naked people doing suggestive pelvic thrusts, gyrating and performing moves that are considered R rated to American public. And that is the just the men. LOL
Either way, I decided to head down to the parade and take some pictures.
Well folks, I hope you enjoyed some higlights from the parade. Soon i'll put up a slide show of all the pictures I took. Until then, "wave yuh flag"!
