MIAMI CARNIVAL 2022

Carnival day was a true test of patience this year. First of all, a big thank you to the Miami carnival comittee for granting us media access. We were also in contact with a band for more comfortable road access but I couldn’t get the time to actually pick up the passes they graciously extended. Thanks to them all the same.

We took an UBER in pouring rain and then walked through flood waters to reach the fairgrounds. After waiting for another hour we decided, “rain does only stop cricket”, bought some rain ponchos and headed out to the parade.

I was at first dismayed at the rain, but soon the music, and the electric vibes unique to carnival won the day. Soaking wet, more and more of us started to let go and enjoy ourselves with wild abandon.

I spent most of the day with Kpaya mas band. To be honest, I have never even heard of this band, but Kpaya grabbed me by the neck and said “you gonna hear today“. The costumes were great and the VIBES were even greater. No one hitched or hid, it was all action. I was thoroughly impressed.

I did try to walk back along the route but the bands were VERY spread out and I kept feeling that I was missing out up front with Kpaya so I did not explore much.

All and all the rainy start didn’t break the spirit of Carnival that day!

Take a look at what we saw.