People Come En Masse for The Mas
Costumed marchers leaving Lincoln Park in Jersey City on July 23 as part of the Jersey City West Indian and Caribbean-American Carnival.
Ivy Gullap speaks to Focal Point JC before the Jersey City West Indian and Caribbean-American Carnival this past Saturday, July 23.
By Ricardo Kaulessar – Focal Point JC
[Editor's Note: The writer's sister, Anitra Kaulessar, participated in the Jersey City West Indian and Caribbean-American Carnival.]
Colorful costumes, music blasting from travelling speakers and scorching temperatures all meant one thing – the Jersey City West Indian and Caribbean-American Carnival.
The 21st edition of this summer event took place this past Saturday, July 23, overseen by its founder Cheryl D.B. Murphy, and a team of organizers.
Hundreds of participants gathered at Lincoln Park on the city’s west side around noon, from where they would start off on a march two hours later taking them to City Hall in the city’s downtown area. After the parade, a festival was held at Exchange Place near the city’s waterfront that continued the celebration into the evening.
Focal Point JC caught up with some of the participants at Lincoln Park, who either were adorned in elaborate costumes or masquerade, also known as ‘mas,” or were graced with a face painting.
Jersey City resident Juana Penson, with face painted, has been coming to the event for the past five years to celebrate her Caribbean roots as her family hails from the Dominican Republic.
“I come to give something back, to feel more of a Caribbean feeling, to give something back to our festival, to our heritage,” Penson said.
The West Indian and Caribbean-American Carnival also brought revelers from as far as Philadelphia as was the case with Ivy Gullap, who came with a friend. Gullap was attired in a green feathered costume that included the flag of her late father’s home country of Belize.
"It’s a phenomenal experience. I mean the culture, the diversity, that’s what carnival is for me,” Gullap said. “To play mas is quite an experience.”
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at [email protected]
