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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2002
PR-222-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG HOSTS RECEPTION AT GRACIE MANSION IN CELEBRATION OF
THE 35th ANNUAL WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL AND PARADE


Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today hosted a reception at Gracie Mansion to celebrate The 35th Annual West Indian Carnival and Parade. The carnival will take place on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd in Flatbush, the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn along Eastern Parkway from Utica Avenue to Grand Army Plaza. Among those attending the reception were Deputy Mayor for Policy Dennis Walcott, Community Assistant Unit Commissioner Jonathan Greenspun, New York City Sheriff Lindsay Eason, Commissioner of the Office of Immigrant Affairs and Language Services Sayu Bhojwani, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and West Indian American Day Carnival Association President Yolanda Lezama-Clark as well as other New York City officials.

"New Yorkers look forward to this Labor Day tradition that has enriched our City for the past 35 years," said Mayor Bloomberg. "This carnival and parade brings out the best of the vibrant and energetic West Indian and Caribbean communities. As the largest carnival parade in New York, we can all be Caribbean for a day."

The Carnival creates an environment where people will understand and accept the creativity of different cultures as well as similarities and diversities, which emulate the history of Carnival and demonstrate the strength of approximately 2 million Caribbean Americans in New York City.

In addition to Mayor Bloomberg, there are five Carnival Grand Marshalls. Governor George E. Pataki will also join the Grand Marshalls as an honorary guest leading off the Carnival with more than 80 floats and thousands of colorful masqueraders.

The Carnival and the celebrations that take place from August 29th through September 2nd are sponsored and produced by the West Indian/American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA). Approximately 3.5 million people are expected to attend, which includes visitors from all over the world, USA, Canada, and the Caribbean.

 

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Ed Skyler / Lark-Marie Antón
(212) 788-2958