Masqueraders display costumes for this year’s
Miami Broward County’s One Carnival.
Photo: Rolph I L Warner

The 2009 Miami carnival got off the starting blocks blazing like Jamaica’s record-breaking speedster Usain Bolt last Saturday. While all of the Caribbean was basking in the regional accomplishments of the Jamaican and Trinidadian 100-metre quartets in the finals of that race at the Berlin World Championships, Caribbean nationals in Florida were enjoying double bliss on the Saturday night that lingered way into the wee hours of the following morning.

At the Mahia Temple, situated at 1480 NW North River Drive, the Miami-Broward One Carnival was officially being launched. Thousands crammed themselves into the popular venue to be a part of the history-making event.
Plans for what is going to be the 25th anniversary of the Miami Carnival were announced. Among these, according to one official, is the first-time staging of a Vintage & Groovy concert and party on October 10, which will feature several leading artistes from different Caribbean islands. Masquerade bands (including some from metropolitan cities like Toronto) had segments of their ’09 presentations on display on the launch. Some costumed individuals took to the stage during a live interlude and paraded before the huge, enthusiastic audience.

An abnormally high percentage of registration for costumed bands is currently taking place in Miami. With this heightened sense of activity, anticipation for a bumper 2009 celebration is soaring skyward. It was noted that Saturday’s patron-turnout was the largest for a Miami Carnival launch in many, many years. There was, however, at least one sad note at the August 22 launch and it did not originate from Leon Coldero and his Code 868 band, the night’s featured live act. Unfortunately for the Miami-Broward One Carnival Committee, its chairman Ruthven Williams had to miss the Saturday launch. Williams’ brother passed away in New York and the carnival boss had to forego his executive festival responsibilities, to be with his siblings and other loved ones in the Big Apple.

- Reporting by Rolph IL Warner