Carnival

 I guess Florida is different from the rest of the world, for as Carol pointed out, Carnivals are usually held around the Easter season (February to April), but Miami's and and Tamarac's was in October. 

Rain or shine, we take in the music events😉.

For years, we in Jamaica had no carnival, so when we wanted to jump and wine, we had to hop on the unreliable, Trinidad and Tobago-owned BWIA (aka Better walk if able or But will it arrive?) and take a flight in excess of three hours to see greats like the Mighty Sparrow. (He died at age 91 on September 27th, 2026).

Walk good honorable sir.🙏

He has been greatly missed ever since he becane ill, for no other Calypsonian had his creativity, energy, ability to deliver subtle social commentary and he had a fantastic sense of humor too🤎.

We Jamaicans owe a debt of gratitude to the late, great musician, Byron Lee, late leader/founder of the popular dance band, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, for importing Carnival into Jamaica so we could stop flying BWIA.

But I stray.

I am so happy I live in Tamarac, for they celebrate everything with free music sessions, and that's right up my street.

Last night it was really a practice session for the full carnival including costumes, road march etc on October 9, featuring Allison Hinds. (That will not be free though so I will skip it!😁.

It was a good evening with nice music and other features. 

Everyone had a good time. 

There was even a personal trainer there giving stretching therapy for a small fee.

Good for the old bodies. 🤣.

The event was held at the amphitheater and you could cool off at the water fountain afterwards if you so wished. 

The water fountain was turned on right there for cooling off.

Kudos Tamarac.

Culturally awake

 While Governor Ron Desantist does everything to downplay/hide black history in the schools in Florida, our city Tamarac, led by activist Mayor Michelle Gonzalez, does the opposite.

So everywhere you turn at the Senior Center, there are reminders that February is Black History Month. Then valuable information about the positive role black activists played in the development of the country, is posted all around.

 The overarching cultural event is the annual Multicultural Festival.

I have been attending these festivals almost every year since I moved to Tamarac in 2016 and really appreciate and enjoy them.

Last night's was not so well attended though.

 Maybe it was the cold spell we have been having. Maybe it is because ICE has been making life miserable for us immigrants. 

I don't know.

I was fully prepared for the cold spell though, carrying 3 jackets/sweaters, one pair of leggings, a scarf and even a pair of gloves. 😁.

All I had to don though was two sweaters as the coldest it got to was 62°.

There was lots for the kids to do. The most popular attraction seemed to be the rock climbing. 

It looked like fun👍.

My favorite was the Maori warrior. He was good as he demonstrated his fighting moves.

Maori warrior 

There were not as many costumed dancers from various countries as normal but what was new was the Chinese dancers/fighters in their colorful costumes.

Costumed Venezuelan dancers.

Then we moved over to the main stage for the star performance by Kevin Little, the Vincentian Soca warrior.

He wasn't bad but when you grew up with performers like the Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose, you maintain high expectations😊.

I enjoyed the offerings though.