Springfield Carnival Parade held Saturday

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Caribbean American African Athletic Social Club is sharing the culture and heritage of the Caribbean people living in Springfield at the annual Springfield Carnival and parade.

“Springfield has a lot of diversity, many people from different backgrounds, many different places,” said Massachusetts State Representative Orlando Ramos. “This gives us an opportunity to celebrate where we come from.”

The carnival parade stepped off from Rebecca Johnson Elementary School at noon and head east on State Street finishing at Blunt Park, where attendees enjoyed live music and entertainment celebrating Caribbean culture.

This year Mayor Sarno marched in the parade with the association, a variety of community organizations, local politicians, and this year’s grand marshal, Cornel Anthony Forbes of Talk of Town Restaurant. Forbes immigrated to Springfield from Jamaica in 1973 and represented the resilience and empowerment of the Caribbean community in Springfield.

This fun-filled day united people of diverse backgrounds together, and enhanced the cultural, social, educational, and spiritual awareness of the Caribbean people living in and around Springfield.

“This is a time for us to unite, and a time for us to be together, as Afro-Caribenos, and also as Caribbean people that all came from the same struggle,” said State Senator Adam Gomez. “This is the way that we heal. Coming together as a community.”

Co-Chair of the Springfield Carnival Association, Curt Marcellin, told 22News how bringing law enforcement, dancers, local politicians, and members of the Springfield Caribbean community together is a reflection of the city itself.

“It’s one way where you can see unity within the community,” said Marcellin. “And just have everyone sharing and enjoying with some of the festivities, the colors, and the food.”

These festivities and the colors drawing residents in to dance to the beat of the steel drums, wave their Caribbean nation’s flag, sing out with family and friends, and get a taste of home.

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