Orlando Carnival 2008 photo: Caribbean Affairs, Inc.
Congratulations are in order for Mervyn Johnson, President of the Orlando Carnival Association (OCA), Inc. and the rest of his team, for staging a successful Mardi Gras—Grand Street Parade Memorial Day weekend, on 25th May 2008. see more pictures here
Spectators and participants alike have said that this year’s Carnival has been the best in recent times, both in terms of the numbers attending and the organization of the event. Food and arts and craft venders at the Orlando Sports Campus where the event was staged, are pleased too with the sales revenues that were realised.
Independent estimates of the crowd at the Orlando Sports Campus put the figure between 8,000 to 10,000. The West Orlando News was also informed that along certain parts of the parade route, onlookers were at times, eight to ten deep, delighting thousands.
Before the bands left the Amway Arena, Mr. Jerry Demings, Grand Marshal and Candidate for the post of Orange County Sheriff, in a symbolic gesture cut the ribbon to formally kick off the Grand Street Parade.
As expected, the Carnival bands displayed lots of color– red, gold, blue, green, silver and more– with much glitter too. A nice surprise also, were the several large costumes spotted throughout particular bands.
With glorious weather throughout the day, masqueraders, band leaders, artists, and spectators all had an enjoyable day.
Now the accountability and stock-taking of the day’s events must begin, so that lessons might be learned on how 2009 Orlando Carnival could be made even bigger and better than 2008!
