Celebrating Our Caribbean Neighbors

Local high school students from Booker T. Washington, Lake Taylor, and Norview displayed the flags representing countries of the Caribbean in the annual CaribFest parade down Waterside Drive last weekend. The annual colorful event held at Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk is a cultural explosion of Caribbean, Latin, African and Folklore music, cuisine, and revelry. Over the years, the Festival has grown into the largest Caribbean event on the local calendar.  With thousands of attendees, it is possibly the largest cultural event of its type in Norfolk, likewise in the State of Virginia.

By Randy Singleton
Community Correspondent
New Journal and Guide

NORFOLK
The CaribFest 2019 brought bright costumes, energetic music, dancing, and Island cuisine to downtown Norfolk during the Aug- 16-18 weekend.  Caribfest is one of the largest cultural festivals of its kind in Norfolk and the State of Virginia.

The festival featured entertainment from international, national, regional, and local musical artists.  Thousands lined the street on Waterside Drive to watch the colorful Caribbean bands and dance teams.

Local high school bands Booker T. Washington, Lake Taylor, and Norview participated in the parade.  Town Point Park featured 15 food booths and 40 vendors selling a variety of cultural items.