‘The festival is in full swing this year’; Caribbean Carnival returns to Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — If you’re Caribbean-American, you know that carnival is a big part of the culture.

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It’s the return of the Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival, after being canceled for the past two and half years because of COVID-19.

Jacksonville Carnival Committee President Theo Jack says the festival is in full swing this year.

“Saturday, we have the parade, that starts off with the parade of bands. Feathers, costumes, everything we see in the Caribbean from on carnival day itself. We have that and the music,” says Jack.

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The parade starts at noon from Grant Street and A. Phillip Randolph Boulevard to Metropolitan Park. The three-day festival starts Thursday, Aug. 11, and goes onto Saturday, Aug. 13, with the carnival parade.

This is where paraders “play mas” or masquerade, wearing costumes with feathers and sequins. The parade is a major part of the festival and how Caribbeans show their island pride.

Action News Jax’s Marcine Joseph asked Jack about Jacksonville’s thriving Caribbean community and what this festival means to them.

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“All of the people in Jacksonville, they are also so happy to be back and to be outside again. To have this vibe going on ya know,” said Jack.

The Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival kicks off on Thursday at 9:00 with its first event: J’ouvert, a paint and powder party that traditionally happens at the break of dawn.

For more information on the Jacksonville Carnival and how to get tickets, click here.