Miami Carnival Is On. Host Committee Chair Signals Start of Festivities This Saturday.

Amid the passage of Hurricane Ian, the Miami Carnival Host Committee has issued a statement reassuring carnival enthusiasts that Miami Carnival remains on. A statement issued on Thursday morning by Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee chair, Joan Hinkson-Justin, stated that festivities will kick off on Saturday, October 1st with the Junior Carnival at the Central Broward Regional Park.

Overnight, various parts of Florida felt the brunt of Hurricane Ian as flood waters rose and gusty winds blew trees and power lines down. In her statement, Hinkson-Justin said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by Hurricane Ian in Southwest, Central and Northeastern Florida.”

Miami Carnival is considered one of the major carnivals in the world, encompassing all of the traditional elements of a Caribbean style carnival, delivering steelpan music and competition, tastes of the Caribbean on parade day and not to mention, the contagious sound of sweet soca music at all events. This year, on October 9th at the Dade County Fair and Exposition grounds, artistes like Patrice Roberts, Shurwayne Winchester, Teddyson John, Skinny Fabulous, Nadia Batson, Iwer George, Farmer Nappy and ‘Jerusalema’ vocalist, Zikode Nomceba of South Africa, will entertain carnival lovers.

Miami Carnival continues to create an experience that is enjoyed by not only those from the Diaspora, but also persons new to the carnival experience. In 2021, while many were uncertain of the way forward amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Miami Carnival’s organizing committee pulled off the festival, implementing strategic and effective safety measures to ensure that patrons felt comfortable attending and enjoying the events. Now, even as Hurricane Ian presents some discomfort, the organizing team is assuring that things will proceed as planned, in the same breath, urging those who can assist, to aid those who’ve been negatively impacted by the passage of the hurricane. “We encourage our Miami Carnival committee to support the thousands of Floridians who will need help rebuilding, by contributing to the FloridaDisasterFund.org to texting DISASTER to 20222,” the statement read.

SEE STATEMENT ISSUED, BELOW: