Grenadians and friends of Grenada from throughout the Diaspora, are converging on Brooklyn, ready to celebrate the 8th Annual Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique Day 2016 event on Sunday, July 17 at the Old Boys and Girls High School Field on Rutland Road in Brooklyn, NYC.
Better known as “Grenada Day,” this celebration of all things heritage — modeled after one originally staged by Grenadians in Toronto some 11 years ago — is organized by GRENCAP, a not-for-profit umbrella collective of representatives of Grenadian organizations in the Diaspora.
This year, the event, which has historically attracted massive crowds of Grenadians and friends of Grenada and is expected to do no less this year, comes on the heels of a similar, inaugural, Annual Grenada Day in Southern Florida, which was organized by James “Rocking J” Douglas, Magnum Francis and GPO Inc.
Carded to begin at 11 am and end at 7 pm, the Brooklyn event will feature vendors with a wide assortment of products — from cocoa butter creams, herbs, clothing and paintings to handmade jewelry, wooden-crafted products, books and sandals — showcasing all things Grenadian and Caribbean.
Several mark this day by wearing original, glamorous outfits in the colors of the flag of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
And as always, the largest assortment of Grenadian cuisine and beverages such as sorrel, ginger beer, lime juice and mauby, to be found at any one location in North America at a given moment, would complete the experience at this event.
According to one of the regular repeat vendors — the majority of the dishes and drinks served at Grenada Day, are using recipes that were handed down by the Grenadian grandparents of the preparers.
Special guests expected at the event include Grenada’s Consular and Diaspora Affairs officials, elected State and Federal government representatives from NYC, as well as representatives of the New York Chapter of Grenada’s National Democratic Congress.
Various performing artistes are expected to grace the stage, including the Groovy Monarch from Grenada, Shortpree and professional vocalist Cheryl V, among others.
Organizers have also promised that attendees would get to experience live May Pole, Quadrille, ballet and folk dancing, along with poetry, steelpan music, jab jab, calypso, soca, reggae and Gospel singing, plus Moko Jumbie, Shortknee and carnival costume displays.
For most Grenadians, the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas, Grenada Day is their biggest social out-door event in the Diaspora, second to Brooklyn’s Labor Day Carnival.
