Jersey City carnival set to return to streets in colorful costumes

Jersey City West Indian Caribbean American Carnival
A reveler decked out in a colorful costume at Lincoln Park, Jersey City in preparation to play mas at the Jersey City West Indian Caribbean American Carnival in 2016.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke

A massive return to Jersey City, New Jersey, carnival road march is set for Saturday July 23, as the Jersey City West Indian Caribbean American Carnival Association Incorporated (JCWICACAI) celebrates its 27th anniversary, after a two-year lockdown, due to the pandemic.

Founder/CEO, Cultural Ambassador, Cheryl DB Murphey told Caribbean Life that she is happy the carnival is back and celebrating 27 years and would be ecstatic to see scores of nationals from both New York and New Jersey waving their Caribbean flags along the parade route on Saturday, July 23, for a fun filled celebration.

The JCWICACAI statewide Carnival parade road march and Grand Marshall Carnival Roaming Relay Lime, will kick-off from Lincoln Park, 34 Chapel Hill Road, at noon, and move along the parade route, before culminating at City Hall, Reviewing Stand, 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, with a grand celebration, and judging of the costume band competition.

The Day Lime will continue with Grand Marshal 2022 Sarrah Ann Baseano, in East Orange, NJ at 5 p.m. This will continue with an Evening Lime at 6:30 p.m., to be hosted by Grand Marshall “22 Josie Payoute, also in East Orange. At 8 p.m., the Night Lime will lead to “22 Grand Marshalls Stanley Flanagan, Christine Goodman and Pam Andres, in Jersey City. The Last Lap Lime will then be hosted by “22 Grand Marshall Michael and Nia Griffin, in Jersey City at 9:30 p.m.

Murphey said the Carnival festivities will continue on Sunday, July 24 with a noon Day Lime, being hosted by Grand Marshall 22 Justin ‘DJ Deep’ Hyppolite in Hoboken, NJ, and a 5 p.m. Evening Lime, by Grand Marshall “22 Hon. Aboubacar Koyate, in Newark, NJ.

The carnival that was launched in 1996, under the theme “Building Community Together,” becoming more dynamic over the years, due to Murphey and her team’s diligence, to keep the tradition vibrant.

The virtual carnival events, held over the past two years of the pandemic, is a testament to determination and strength, that helped the carnival to return to its in-person festivities. The week-long program leading to the up-coming road march day, included CARICOM flag raising ceremonies in Jersey City, City Hall, and in Hudson County Plaza, among other events.

Murphey, who traces her roots to the Bahamas, is passionate about keeping the culture alive in New Jersey, and as such, has stayed steadfast in promoting educational programs, arts, health initiatives, business and fashion outreaches over the 27 years, under the JCWICACAI Carnival Alliance brand.

She has received many accolades for her outstanding contributions to keeping the carnival spirit alive and well in Jersey City, New Jersey, and across the state.

To learn more, visit – www.jccarnival.com email jcwicarnival@gmail.com, or call 201-332-5538.