West Indian Day and J'ouvert celebrations

West Indian Day Parade

A scaled-back West Indian Day Parade was held on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn on Labor Day 2021.

NEW YORK - The traditional West Indian American Day Parade celebration was scaled down due to the coronavirus but many people still found a way to celebrate their Caribbean pride.

The big parade was not put on but there was a small event held to be streamed for virtual celebrations.

Along with the cancelation of the West Indian Day Parade, the J'Ouvert celebration that typically kicks off the festivities was also canceled by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

But that didn't stop a spontaneous celebration in the streets. Police broke up a few block parties but there were no arrests.

The mayor said that the major cultural event that begins during the overnight hours leading into Labor Day would return next year.

The colorful parade along Eastern Parkway is a time-honored celebration of West Indian culture. It is one of the largest parades in the world. Last year's festivities were also canceled as the pandemic raged on.