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West Indian Day Parade 2015

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  • Ornate costumes like this one were featured in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • The city is better because of its
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • The skin-baring, brilliantly colored costumes featured in the West Indian Day Parade on Sept. 7, 2015 include tall feathered headdresses, sequined shorts and wings, and other accessories.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Parade goers march and dance in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The West Indian American Day Parade draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September and shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio marches in the West Indian American Day parade in Brooklyn on Monday, Sept. 07, 2015.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Parade goers march and dance in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The West Indian American Day Parade draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September and shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Parade goers march and dance in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The West Indian American Day Parade draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September and shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Participants march in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The West Indian American Day Parade draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September and shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Parade goers march and dance in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 07, 2015. The West Indian American Day Parade draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September and shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Spectators watch as parade goers march and dance in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The West Indian American Day Parade draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September and shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Parade goers march and dance in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The West Indian American Day Parade draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September and shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Spectators watch as parade goers march and dance in the annual West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. The West Indian American Day Parade draws an estimated 2 million people to Crown Heights each September and shuts down the streets for seven hours as participants strut out in authentic colorful Caribbean garb and vendors offer tasty island treats along the route.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • A young woman wears feathered costume on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015, as she participates in the West Indian American Day parade.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Participants in the 48th annual West Indian American Carnival parade prepare their costumes before the march began at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, 2015.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • A woman gets some finishing touches to her costume for the West Indian American Carnival parade. Elaborately dressed dancers and floats snake down Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, from Schenectady Street to Grand Army Plaza.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Beads and feathers add glitz to the costumes in 48th annual West Indian American Carnival parade on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Playing mas, or masquerade, is what gives the West Indian American Carnival parade its glamour. These participants will have spent much time and money preparing for the event.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Frequently the flowers, feathers and beads in the West Indian American Carnival parade are based on the flags of Caribbean nations. This woman is ready for the carnival on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Participants in the annual parade create costumes that reflect the colors and traditions of countries throughout the Caribbean. This marcher is ready for the West Indian American Carnival parade on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert
  • Masquerade is part of the West Indian American Carnival parade on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015. This participant is ready.
    Photo Credit: Charles Eckert

Revelers at West Indian American Carnival Day fly the flags of Jamaica, Barbados and other Caribbean nations, dance to booming calypso, soca and reggae music and taste fragrant dishes such as jerk chicken wings, aloo pie and oxtail stew. “Playing mas,” or masquerade, is a linchpin of the euphoric celebration of Caribbean culture that will take over Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. The skin-baring, brilliantly colored costumes often include tall feathered headdresses, sequined shorts and wings or other accessories. The march is in its 48th year and is expected to draw as many as 2 million people.

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