One woman in full carnival costume shows off the rich, colorful history of the Caribbean at the Magic City Caribbean Food and Music Festival in Birmingham. Photo by Anne Holmes for Bham Now.
If you caught my last article on Caribbean restaurants, you got a sneak peak at some of Birmingham’s Latin gems. Hungry for more, I went to the Magic City Caribbean Food and Music Festival this past Saturday, where I got to eat even more Caribbean food! Check out the pictures I took of the parade:
We grabbed a piña colada at the Caribbean festival! Photo by Anne Holmes.
Soldiers carry the Caribbean festival banner. Photo by Anne Holmes.
Flags from the Carribbean. Photo by Anne Holmes.
Dancing to the beat. Photo by Anne Holmes.
The band plays on. Photo by Anne Holmes.
Marvel City Caribbean Food and Music Festival. (Anne Holmes / Bham Now)
Caribbean festival and carnival attire features lots of feathers. Photo by Anne Holmes.
These costumes are so intricate and beautiful. Photo by Anne Holmes.
This woman looks proud as she walks the parade. Photo by Anne Holmes.
More vibrant dancers enter the parade. Photo by Anne Holmes.
Don’t the feathers and masks remind you of a masquerade? Photo by Anne Holmes.
This man hyped up the whole audience. Photo by Anne Holmes.
Caribbean Traditions
The Magic City Caribbean Food and Music Festival Parade included sights and sounds from all the islands in the Caribbean. Hosted by the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization, the festival brought traditions of street food, carnival costumes, and Caribbean music to Birmingham. Popup tents around Linn Park offered Caribbean style clothing and jewelry. Kids had the chance to get their face painted, too! We began the day listening to the steel drums in the plaza. Then, the parade came in with the band, the dancers, and the festival beats. Later that night, salsa and reggae characterized the scene.
Loving the Mix
This time, I saw a much broader view of diversity in Birmingham. With food trucks and tents, the Caribbean festival included all of the islands in the fun. From Latin to Jamaican to Cajun meats and treats, the streets of Linn Park were crowded with things to try.
Barbados
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
Puerto Rico
Saint Kitts and Nevis
and more!
With so many roots, the Caribbean festival proved that Birmingham really does have a gorgeous blend of different cultures.
The Featured Photos
A refreshing piña colada at the Magic City Caribbean Food & Music Festival. Photo by Anne Holmes.First, two soldiers display the Magic City Caribbean Food and Music Festival Parade banner, promoted by the Central American Caribbean American Organization. Photo by Anne Holmes.Paraders wave the Caribbean flags with pride and flair. Photo by Anne Holmes.Next, young dancers display their love for Caribbean culture during the Caribbean parade. Photo by Anne Holmes.The band marches in afterwards, introducing the beginning of the parade. Photo by Anne Holmes.The band plays with heart in the heat, and the sounds of the Caribbean are unmistakeable. Photo by Anne Holmes.One woman in full carnival costume shows off the rich, colorful history of the Caribbean. Photo by Anne Holmes.Costumes like the ones this girl and woman wore exemplify the tradition of big, feathery headdresses and clothing for a Caribbean festival. Photo by Anne Holmes.Another woman smiles proudly in Caribbean festival attire. Photo by Anne Holmes.Dancers in neon outfits fan themselves off underneath the sun. Photo by Anne Holmes.More women wear feathers and fun masquerade masks during the Caribbean festival. Photo by Anne Holmes.A hype man stands atop a moving truck, encouraging the audience to dance along to the upbeat Caribbean beats. Photo by Anne Holmes.
Did you pop into the festival? Let us know what you loved!
