If you're like us, you haven't quiiiite been able to save up for that Caribbean vacation, but you can get some Caribbean flavor on a budget by at the D.C. Caribbean Carnival this weekend.
Carnival is a traditional festival and parade celebrated throughout the Caribbean and the Caribbean diaspora, usually taking place over several days in some cases lasting upwards of a month. (Whew, that's a lot of Red Stripe!)
The party started Saturday morning, when D.C.'s own version of the parade travelled along Georgia Avenue N.W. -- from Missouri Avenue to Banneker Park -- toting colorful floats, sound trucks, calypso and steel pan music, and most importantly, masqueraders in elaborately feathered costumes. Prince of Petworth has some great photos -- as does DCist -- of the parade, including a couple of D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty doing his part for the parade.
The festival at Banneker Recreation Park (Georgia Avenue at Barry Place, N.W., directly across from Howard University) starts at noon and runs until 7 p.m. It will feature food, arts, and crafts, along with a concert featuring reggae artists Carl Malcolm and the Positive Vibrations Band, as well as the popular DJ Spyda.
Sunday is also Family Day, a great time to bring kiddos if you've got 'em to check out Caribbean crafts and food.
Admission to the festival is $10 per person.
