Queens Carnival 2022 Drew Thousands to Far Rockaway and Featured Superstars of Soca & Reggae Music

It was definitely the party of the year as the Queens Carnival (formerly the Rockaway Caribbean Carnival) returned for a fourth year with a full day of activities taking place on August 27, 2022 and drawing thousands of people to the beach.
 
State Senator James Sanders Jr. (with Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson and City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks Powers) hosted the Queens Carnival.
 
It kicked off with a parade featuring 10 floats stacked with speakers blasting music and featuring DJs including Hot 97's Massive B (Bobby Konders and Lando) and DJ Koolkat. It started at Mott Avenue and Beach 21st Street in Far Rockaway and ended on the boardwalk at Beach 17th Street.  
 
Once at the beach, the area was filled with masqueraders wearing mas costumes, singers, dancers, island food, sand castle building contest, fireworks display and much more. 
 
The main stage featured an all-star lineup of Soca and Reggae performers starring Denise Belfon, and including DJ Cheem, Beniton aka Jack Frostt, Ajala, and General Grant.
 
DJ Cheem gave a knockout, energy-packed performance including some of his greatest hits like "Ba Ba Ben" and even inviting attendees to join him on stage to dance with him and show off their costumes.
 
"The party was in Far Rockaway but it felt more like the Caribbean as we brought together the people and cultures that make Queens an iconic melting pot and the most diverse borough in the city," Senator Sanders said. "It was great seeing people in attendance with their family, friends, children, grandchildren. All were welcome."
 
Matt Long of Can You Dig It Sand Tools built an amazing sand sculpture of a masquerader sponsored by Cross River Bank and the evening concluded with an amazing fireworks display overlooking the water sponsored by City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks Powers. 

We thank the Queens Carnival Commitee for all of their hard work and extra special thanks to Rockaway Revitalization & Development Corporation (RDRC) for their overwhelming support. 

We would like to thank our sponsors: Arverne By the Sea, Far Rockaway NAACP, The Tides at Arverne by the Sea, PSEG Long Island, National Grid, Resorts World, Cross River Bank, ENJ Productions, Queens Defenders, Emblem Health, Rock Safe Streets, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, DredSurfer Grill, West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), Rockaway Business Alliance, The Wave newspaper, REMA4US, The Campaign Against Hunger, New York Career Training School LLC, and Queens Royal Priest Hood.