78 Years of Outdoor Carnival – 1947-2025
It is factual that the Caribbean-style or West Indian-style carnival commenced in Harlem, a village in the Borough of Manhattan. At first as indoor events during the peak of winter and later as outdoor parades on Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer.
In the late 19th century, Harlem was still the home of upper class white New Yorkers. Most Dutch, Italian, German, Irish and Jewish residents did not yet move to the other boroughs.
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