CariFest 2009

Twin Cities CariFest is a celebration of the sights and sound of the Caribbean Islands, by the residents of the Twin Cities metro area. A free event with a family flavor. A costumed parade with all ages participating, followed a sound-system along the Mississippi River West River Parkway. And what really drew this photographer was the Calypso, Soca, Chutney and Reggae that continued to be pumped out by both live performers and an attentive DJ. The crowd kept on movin’ and gyrating all the while.

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There were food and market booths. I wandered the grounds some, but kept pretty constantly near the stage sound system. Between live musical sets, various dance groups supplied their recorded tunes while they performed their routines. And the DJ pumped up sound during any lulls. I captured some of the fantastic sights, but cameras were everywhere as people photographed friends, family and the event. The sounds and crowd dancing in the streets were a welcome summer treat, and the Carnival was within site of the Minneapolis Aquatennial Fireworks display downstream after dusk. This was the 16th such celebration. I have made it to a few Twin Cities CariFests in the past, and I hope to make the fourth weekend in July my little trip to the Islands via bicycle for some years to come. It always is a refreshing breeze of my neighbors hospitality. And my feet kept movin’.

Alan Wilfahrt is a photographer in the Twin Cities. See more of his work at www.alanwilfahrt.com