Senator James Sanders Jr. Launches Queens Carnival Drawing Crowd Ready to Party

Senator James Sanders Jr. brought the party to the people over the weekend with the official preview / launch of the Queens Carnival (formerly the Rockaway Caribbean Carnival) at the DredSufer Grill on Saturday in Far Rockaway.

A large crowd of attendees, representing many cultures, gathered to celebrate. There were singers, dancers, and moko jumbies (or stilts walkers), and plenty of complimentary food and refreshments.

However, all of this fun was just the appetizer, reminding everyone to come to the main event - the Queens Carnival on August 27, 2022 - when marchers will parade down Peninsula streets and Senator Sanders will play host and masquerader.

“Welcome to the Rockaways and welcome to the Carnival,” said Sanders during the kick off and press conference. "We are going to have some fun. We are going to be celebrating all of the Rockaways, but we will be particularly highlighting the contributions of the Caribbean community in America.”

Following the announcement, residents, supporters and Carnival Committee members joined Senator Sanders in a mini-march down the boardwalk next to the Dredsurfer Grill on Seagirt Boulevard as Caribbean music played in the background.

In the past, the Caribbean Carnival in the Rockaways drew thousands of people and even more are expected to participate this year at the newly named Queens Carnival.
 
Carnival aims to celebrate Caribbean arts & culture while highlighting the hidden jewel that is the Rockaways. Senator Sanders invites people of all nationalities from all over the City and beyond to join him for this event.

“There will be good food, good company – come and make a friend,” Sanders said. “We are going to have a ball.”

The Carnival is presented in partnership with the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), Rockaway Development Revitalization Corporation (RDRC), REMA4US, DredSurfer Grill, New York City Parks Department, New York Police Department's 101st Police Precinct, and the Queens Carnival in the Rockaways Committee members.

The Queens Carnival will take place on Saturday, August 27, 2022 starting at 11 a.m., starting at Mott Avenue and Beach 21st Street and ending on the boardwalk at Beach 17th Street.

For general information, to join the committee or to participate in Carnival contact Senator Sanders's office at 718-523-3069.