Photo courtesy LehWeGo
Photo courtesy LehWeGo
Traditional Carnival as celebrated in Trinidad and Brazil, is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent, usually in February or March. Here in South Florida, Miami Carnival celebrations begin the week before Columbus Day in October. This year it kicks off with the Junior Carnival Competition on Saturday, October 1st, followed by the Steelband “Panorama” competition on Friday, October 7th. J’ Ouvert Mas is held early on Saturday morning, October 8th and the carnival celebrations peak with the Kings, Queens and Individual Shows and Competitions and the grand finale in the Mas Band Parade and Concert on Carnival Sunday, October 9th. Miami Broward One Carnival (MBOC) has put together this guide for making the most of your carnival experience during this family event that has many different types of entertainment. We want to ensure you don’t miss out on anything each year!
Saturday October 1st, 1pm – 10pm
Central Broward Regional Park, 3700 NW 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311
Friday, October 7, 4pm – 11pm
Central Broward Regional Park, 3700 NW 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311
Saturday, October 8, 7am – 3pm
Miami-Dade County Fair Expo, 10901 SW 24th St, Miami, FL 33165
Sunday, October 9, 11am – 11 pm
Miami-Dade County Fair Expo, 10901 SW 24th St, Miami, FL 33165
Free Park and Free Ride from Broward to Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds
The Parade of the Bands takes place on Sunday, the day before Columbus Day every year, and features more than 18,000 masqueraders in 20 plus mas bands dancing freely through the approved parade route. The parade starts at 11 am and ends at 11 pm which includes the concert that follows the judging of the bands. The pulsating music, the beauty, and pageantry are all legendary!
This year the Kings, Queens and Individuals costume competitions will take place with the Miami Carnival parade of bands. This part of the competition brings out the biggest and most elaborate costumes as the masqueraders compete for bragging rights, a trophy and huge cash prizes!
What to expect:
Have you heard about the Pied Piper? During the parade of the bands you will witness the same phenomenon, with the masqueraders closely following the music truck as it makes its way to the main stage for judging. The music trucks carry the music and entertainment; it is assembled using a trailer bed truck, racks of large speakers and musical instruments, and the DJs and entertainers perform on the truck.
Panorama is held on Carnival Friday and is hosted at the Central Broward Regional Park Cricket Stadium from 4pm-11pm. This is a time to relax and enjoy the sweet music of the steelpan as the groups perform some of your favorite songs. The event promises to deliver an authentic platform for those looking for that true Caribbean experience on steel.
After the bands parade on the route the fun doesn’t end. It actually intensifies, as the bands take to the stage to be judged by a panel of experts from the carnival industry. On the big stage, the bands act out their portrayals before the judges in an attempt to win the coveted title “Band of the Year,” along with the huge cash prize.
Experts come in from across the globe to judge the bands in various categories. The bands wait in the wings for their opportunity to cross the main stage and to “let loose,” as they showcase the story behind their portrayals in costume, color and movement.
It is a sight to behold and not one to be missed.
Showcasing your business to a captive audience has never been easier. Miami Broward One Carnival will showcase businesses at the corporate booth village, allowing visitors to collect information on various services and products available to consumers. Be sure to visit all the corporate booths while enjoying all the Carnival activities.
The concert segment of Miami Broward One Carnival on Carnival Sunday, allows for the showcase of international Caribbean talent. The concert has featured powerhouse soca acts and live bands including Machel Montano, David Rudder, Super Blue, Stalin, Crazy, Rikki Jai, Shurwayne Winchester, Byron Lee’s Dragonaires, Leon Coldero and Code 868, Kes The Band, Burning Flames, Hot Flames, Jam Band, Alison Hinds, Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons and many more. Every year soca lovers flock to Carnival to experience the high energy, live performances of these entertainers. Each year Miami Broward One Carnival promises to deliver an exceptional line up of acts, which include performances by well-known Hispanic and Haitian acts, in an attempt to attract those who share similarities in culture and in the Carnival tradition.
Who goes to a cultural event and does not indulge in the food and drink? At Carnival it won’t be any different. The Miami Broward One Carnival food vendors, numbering more than fifty, feature an expansive selection of culinary delights indigenous to the Caribbean region. Foods from the islands of Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Dominican Republic and many more are all available in our food court. You can also enjoy rums, beer and beverages from the distillers and breweries representing many islands of the Caribbean. Make your list of those Caribbean dishes you want to taste and come prepared to satisfy that Jerk, Curry or Stew craving as soon as you enter the Park. Be sure to come hungry!
Arts and Craft vendors from as far away as New York and Boston travel to South Florida with t-shirts, flags, toys, games, jewelry, souvenirs, paintings, wood carvings, incense, pottery and more. Bring cash or use one of our ATMs conveniently located throughout the Miami Broward One Carnival village.
