Labor Day is a holiday that most people don't understand the origin of. For kids in high school and lower its the day before school starts and for college kids it's just another holiday that gives us a day off from school. In Brooklyn Labor Day has a whole other meaning, Labor Day is the day of the West Indian Day parade. Growing up I believed Labor Day was West Indian Day, it wasn't until I left Brooklyn that I realized these were two separate things that happened to occur on the same day. I still can't tell you what Labor Day is but I can tell you a lot about the West Indian day parade.
Labor Day weekend is a weekend full of Caribbean festivities. Soca and Reggae music blasting from people's cars, everyone with their flags representing their island, and parties from Friday night until Monday evening. It's like a three day equivalent of the Fourth of July, but instead of celebrating our independence the Caribbean nations are celebrating their cultures. Where Labor Day generally means epic sales to the average individual, to any West Indian from the five boroughs, and even farther, Labor Day means the day to embrace your cultures and enjoy the festivities. It is often joked about that a West Indian's labor day weekend is church Sunday morning then fete Sunday night into Monday night.
The West Indian day parade, generally known as the Labor Day parade is a basic version of West Indian carnivals that occur in the earlier months. First it stars off with Jouvert Sunday night where the people dance along the streets and throw paint, powder, water, etc. then later on, Monday morning the actual parade begins. People dress up in their extravagant costumes and walk on stilts and the current music from each nation is played. They dance along the streets of eastern parkway down to Brooklyn museum where the costumes are judged. There are spectators and food from the islands as well as souvenirs sold throughout the area. For spectators it's a wonderful way to taste foods from different island, dance to your favorite music and meet other people from their countries and make connections.
In Brooklyn, Labor Day is more than the sales and free day off from school. Labor Day is a day of festivities it's the weekend where Brooklyn is the most decorated and diverse but together.
