VIRTUAL JUMP-UP: Miami Carnival Goes Online in COVID-19 Show

For the first time in 35 years the Miami Carnival will be produced as a virtual experience next month.

Online viewers will still get to enjoy the pageantry of the costumes and experience the sounds of steel pan music during carnival. PHOTO CREDIT: - Photograph by RJ Deed/miamicarnival.orgThe event, which this year is scheduled to run from Oct. 8-11, is a much anticipated celebration in the Caribbean American community, usually drawing up to 75,000 people. It is also a huge boost to the South Florida’s economy.

However, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the event will be offered online, according to the Miami Broward Carnival Host Committee, which said it is “committed to flattening the curve of coronavirus.”

The Miami Carnival online edition plans to welcome people from across the globe, continuing the tradition of presenting a cultural event that celebrates Miami, Caribbean, music, culture and pageantry in a multiple-day event.

For the first time, the committee is making all the elements of Miami Carnival free to access. It will be hosted at MiamiCarnival.org.                                                                                                   

PIVOT

“Everyone has been deeply impacted by the pandemic,” Joan Justin, chair for Miami Broward One Carnival Host committee, explained in a post on its website late last month.

“Like others, we have been challenged to pivot and re-imagine how we can continue to create space for our annual cultural celebration of Miami Carnival.

“While we will miss hosting attendees into the South Florida area, we are excited to share Miami Carnival with a global audience this year. We know that we will persevere through this time and continue to support our community to recover from the global crisis with which our world is faced.”

The Miami Broward Carnival team is planning to present a showcase of elements and traditions embraced and celebrated during Miami Carnival, with a promise to entertain, inspire and educate. Scheduled attractions include local DJs kicking off the Miami Carnival Virtual Weekend experience. There will be performances by the 2019 “Junior Calypso” winner, the 2019 “Junior Steelpan” winner, plus a segment to take viewers through a story about carnival.

Visit https://miamicarnival.org for updates.