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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 221-04
August 11, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG HOSTS RECEPTION IN HONOR OF THE 37th ANNUAL WEST INDIAN AMERICAN DAY CARNIVAL PARADE

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today hosted a reception at Gracie Mansion to celebrate the upcoming 37th Annual West Indian American Day Carnival Parade.  The parade will take place on Labor Day, Monday, September 6th running along Eastern Parkway from Utica Avenue to the Flatbush Avenue Extension, through the Flatbush and Crown Heights sections of Brooklyn.  Among those joining the Mayor at the reception were West Indian American Day Carnival Association President Yolanda Lezama-Clark, Deputy Mayor for Policy Dennis Walcott and various elected officials.  Performing at the event was the pulsating rhythms of the CASYM Steel Band and Najja Codrington & the Stilt Dancers.
 
“The West Indian American Day Carnival Parade is one of our great annual traditions,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Every Labor Day, the parade showcases the energy and diversity of the West Indian and Caribbean communities.  I look forward to joining the Caribbean-New Yorkers as we march down Eastern Parkway celebrating the culture of the islands.”  

At the reception, Mayor Bloomberg and the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) presented awards to six recipients in recognition of their support of the organization and the parade.  The award winners were as follows:

Syderia Asberry, Manager for JPMorgan Chase, accepting on behalf of Chase’s long-standing support to the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

Kelvin “Fuzzy” Davis is a skilled Costume Maker and Designer in Caribbean Carnival Arts.

Mary Fazulak, Manager of American Airlines, is accepting on behalf of American Airlines in recognition of their 25 years of generous support and sponsorship of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

Inspector James O’Connell, from 77th Precinct in Brooklyn, is being honored for his support to the West Indian American Day Carnival Association and Caribbean Cultural Arts on behalf of the Police Department.

Detective Hubert Raton, from the 77th Precinct in Brooklyn, is being honored for his dedicated service, patience and support over the years to the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

Mary Romeo, Librarian for the Brooklyn Public Library, is being honored for her dedication and efforts to educate and promote Caribbean Culture to the Brooklyn community.

The West Indian American Day Carnival, celebrating its 37th anniversary, was started in Harlem in the early 1930s and moved to Brooklyn in the mid 1960s, where it became the largest festival and parade in the United States.  Five full days of Caribbean heritage and tradition take center stage in Flatbush, Brooklyn from September 2, 2004 to September 6, 2004.  This celebration originated from the festivities in Ancient Kemet (Egypt).  The present-day event is a fusion of ancient Egyptian customs and celebrations of the French Mardi Gras with African influences.  The Mayor will march in this parade on September 6.  The Mayor made trips to both Jamaica and Haiti this year with delegations that included City and community representatives.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Ed Skyler / Silvia Alvarez   (212) 788-2958




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