FREE
Your Passport to the Caribbean American Community
13
Apr/May 2022
4 All Roads Lead to Orlando Carnival Downtown Dezerland Park 5250 International Drive.
Haitian Heritage Month Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally recognized month and an opportunity for individuals including Haitians and lovers of the the Haitian culture to celebrate the rich culture, distinctive art, delicious food and learn the traditions of Haiti and its people. The celebration is an expansion of the Haitian Flag Day on May 18th, a major patriotic day celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora created to encourage patriotism. Haitian Flag Day is a Haitian holiday to celebrate the creation of the flag of Haiti. The day is celebrated each year on the 18th of May, which is the anniversary of the date of the flag's adoption in 1803. L’Union fait la Force, with Unity there is Strength. This guiding principle has been the cornerstone of Haitian beliefs, dating back to the creation of the National Flag. During the Congress of Arcahaie in May 1803 military leaders representing divided segments of the society united their forces against the French colonial army. This union, sealed by Jean Jacques Dessalines, a former slave, and Alexandre Petion, a free colored man, paved the way for a victorious revolution that would lead to the only successful slave uprising in the world and eventually the birth of a Nation. At the Congress of Arcahaie, Dessalines ripped the white section out of the Red, White and Blue French flag. The Red and Blue cloths were then sewn together by his goddaughter, Catherine Flon, to form the first Blue and Red flag of the Republic of Haiti...Cont on Pg 9
Orlando
Carnival Downtown is heading to International Drive this year as it will be hosted at Dezerland Park. This move is all part of the growth plan for the Orlando Carnival Downtown as the event has seen significant growth over the years. The celebration has set new bars for achievement each year as members and supporters provide input and improvements are incorporated into the celebration.
held along W. Church Street and was FREE to the public, while the multicultural concert was moved into the Amway Arena with performances by Machel Montano, Raymond Ramnaraine, Tony Matterhorn, Serani, and others. In 2019 the OCD celebration delivered on par with the previous years with particulaly impressive showcases from the mas bands.
In 2017 the Orlando Carnival began it's re-branding as the 'Orlando No Orlando Carnival celebrations Carnival Downtown'. The took place in 2020 due to Covid-19. committee decided to use that year, their 30th Anniversary, to give-back In 2021, with great cooperation to their supporters with a FREE between the City of Orlando, Carnival. The celebration broke Orlando Police Department, the records with over 25,000 attendees, City of Orlando Parks and based on Orlando Police Department Recreation and the Orlando reports. Carnival Downtown planning In 2018 the celebration set one of committee, OCD was the first its highest bars to date when, due to tropical storm conditions, Carnival celebration coming out of the multicultural concert was the Covid-19 shut down. While this moved into the Amway was a smaller celebration, the Center and showcased some of Orlando Carnival Downtown went the biggest names in the Soca, viral across the USA and around Chutney and Reggae Dance-Hall the World. OCD 2021 had an music industries performing within amazing showcase of performers the walls of the Orlando Magic and with only one Mas arena. Band; Fete Masterzz.....Cont on pg 12 The Mas Bands costume parade was