Antigua and Barbuda brought the colour, energy, and culture of Carnival to Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway with an unforgettable showing at the 59th West Indian American Day Parade. The destination used the New York spotlight to build excitement ahead of Antigua Carnival’s historic 70th anniversary.
The twin-island nation’s participation formed part of a strategic promotional initiative led by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s (ABTA) U.S. office, through sponsorship support of New York television station and news outlet PIX11.
Antigua and Barbuda Takes Center Stage
The initiative provided Antigua and Barbuda with prominent exposure throughout the parade, bringing the destination’s culture, Carnival traditions, and tourism appeal into homes across the New York tri-state area. As part of the television coverage, a series of advertisements showcased Antigua and Barbuda.
Dean Fenton, U.S. Director of Tourism, participated in an interview highlighting the destination’s annual Antigua Carnival celebrations and its growing appeal among travelers. Minister of Sports and the Creative Industries, the Honourable Dwayne George, also joined the celebrations aboard the float alongside members of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission team.
Minister George was interviewed by PIX11 as well as several other media outlets covering the festivities, using the opportunity to promote Antigua and Barbuda’s culture and the upcoming milestone 70th anniversary of Antigua Carnival. Joining the Festivals Commission delegation were Consultant to the Minister Aldo McCoy, Operations Lead Cleofoster Harris, and Marketing Lead Cecelia Thwaites.
Spotlight on 70 Years of Antigua Carnival
The Antigua and Barbuda-branded PIX11 float provided a colourful representation of the nation’s Carnival traditions, featuring mas players and towering Moko-Jumbies dressed in the captivating colours of the Antigua and Barbuda flag. Among the standout performers was young Antiguan Moko-Jumbie Masego Dubique, who quickly won the hearts of spectators and became one of the attractions along Eastern Parkway.
Dubique drew considerable attention from fellow parade participants, spectators, and media, creating several memorable moments that helped extend Antigua and Barbuda’s visibility beyond the parade route. Minister George commended the ABTA’s U.S. team for its support and tremendous efforts in coordinating the activation, stating that this is an excellent collaboration that he would love to see continue.
The New York showcase also provided an important platform to build excitement ahead of the historic 70th anniversary of Antigua Carnival. Minister George said that Antigua and Barbuda has made quite an impression in New York as they look ahead to the 70th anniversary of their Carnival celebrations.
Building Momentum for Antigua Carnival
Minister George stated that their Carnival, as an emancipation celebration, is a powerful expression of who they are. The festivities in Brooklyn allowed them to take the Caribbean’s greatest summer festival into the hearts of everyone, encouraging them to join the legendary celebrations planned for Antigua Carnival next year.
Minister George said the enthusiastic reception along Eastern Parkway demonstrated the potential for Antigua and Barbuda to further leverage major international cultural events to promote its Carnival product and creative industries.
The response they received along the Parkway was tremendous. They intend to build on this momentum, particularly as they prepare to celebrate 70 years of Antigua Carnival, Minister George stated. Antigua and Barbuda’s participation in the West Indian American Day Parade placed the destination before one of the largest Caribbean audiences outside the region, combining the energy and spectacle of Carnival with a strategic tourism marketing push in one of its important international markets.
With the 70th anniversary of Antigua Carnival approaching, the Brooklyn appearance offered audiences a taste of the colour, creativity, and cultural pride that Antigua and Barbuda intends to showcase during its milestone celebrations. It is common for destinations to use cultural events to promote their unique attractions and build anticipation for upcoming celebrations, as seen in the way Antigua and Barbuda has effectively utilized the West Indian American Day Parade to generate excitement for its Carnival.
Antigua and Barbuda will continue to promote its Carnival and creative industries in the lead-up to the 70th anniversary celebrations.
The Honourable Dwayne George and the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission team will play a key role in the preparations for the milestone event.