haitians labor day carnival
Carnival-goers celebrate their Haitian heritage on Eastern Parkway, in September 2018 celebration. Photo by Kerby Jean for The Haitian Times

In 2020, there were no Mas bands, no costumed dancers striding down Eastern Parkway for the Labor Day West Indian Carnival parade. Once again this year, the coronavirus pandemic is thwarting plans for one of the city’s largest cultural events.   

With just under a month left, West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) board member Lionel Balmir said plans for Labor Day weekend events are still being finalized. However, those plans will not involve the signature parade that has drawn thousands of people to Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. 

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Sam is a reporter for The Haitian Times and a 2020 Report for America corps member. He has covered Haiti and its diaspora since 2018. His work has also appeared in USA Today, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Haiti Liberte. Sam can be reached at sam@haitiantimes.com or on Twitter @sambojarski.