Boston Carnival will celebrate its 52nd year this Saturday (Aug. 23) in gathering for the J’Ouvert parade at the break of dawn, and continuing “on the road” at 1 p.m. for the larger procession on Warren Street and Blue Hill Avenue.
Shirley Shillingford, president of the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston (CACAB), said she is very happy to be welcoming several performers from Trinidad & Tobago and also a group from the Dominican Republic.
The Trinidad & Tobago Police Band and the Trinidad and Tobago Rhythm Section will perform, along with 25 masqueraders from the Dominican Republic, at events all weekend long, including Thursday’s King and Queen Competition at English High School, the 5:30 a.m. J’Ouvert parade, and the larger afternoon parade as well.
Shillingford said the various governments paid for the groups to come to Boston Carnival, but food and accommodations had to be covered by CACAB. Through a generous sponsorship secured by state Sen. Nick Collins, those costs have been covered and so, she said those in attendance are in for a treat.
“We have these three very good groups coming, which is in addition to our carnival,” she said. “They are going to be spectacular. Some might ask why the Dominicans, but I say that’s diversity. They are coming in costume – 25 of them – and with the other two bands, it’s a big addition to our festival.”
Honorees this year include Grandmaster Rev. Wayne Daley, of Mattapan, and Grand Matron Councillor Erin Murphy, of Dorchester.
Daley, who is originally from Monserrat and previously worked for DA Kevin Hayden, said he was very excited to serve and has a long background playing steel pan as a youth.
“We looked for someone who is very positive, like Rev. Daley, and doing great things in our community,” said Shillingford. “He is from the Caribbean, and he has a long history playing steel drums and then grew up and became a minister. We think Councillor Murphy is an independent thinker and we see her doing the work around the community.”
J’Ouvert, which has been controversial due to violent incidents in the past, will for a second year be contained within Franklin Park, beginining at 5:30 a.m. at the Shattuck Hospital and kicking off on Circuit Drive at 6 a.m. Marchers will proceed up Circuit Drive, be judged near the Playstead entrance, and conclude at Peabody Circle where vendors will be located.
“I think last year this was a move in the right direction and at the right time and gave us the right results, which is why we are continuing it this year,” she said. “We got rave reviews last year.”
Later that day, at 1 p.m., Mayor Wu and other dignitaries will cut the ribbon at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard and Warren Street for the main procession, which will move up Warren Street to Blue Hill Avenue, pass by the judging stand at Franklin Park and end at Peabody Circle.
Shillingford said the parade will contain all sorts of surprises, and she noted that the two main mayoral candidates, the mayor and challenger Josh Kraft, will have a presence in the parade.
Shillingford said they have been meeting regularly with the police, and their new Boston Police contact, Deputy Supt. Nicole Grant, since April. When asked what she hopes for this weekend, she answered with one word. “Peace,” then added, “Let us all sail on the ship of love.”
In addition to those events, a free Carnival Breakfast will be held outside City Hall this Friday, from 9 to noon, catered by Dorchester’s Taste of Eden Restaurant.
