Elected officials and community leaders kick off Labor Day festivities at WIADCA’s annual VIP Breakfast

NEW YORK — Elected officials, community leaders and cultural figures gathered Monday morning for the West Indian American Day Carnival Association’s 59th annual VIP Breakfast, a Labor Day tradition preceding the New York Caribbean Carnival Parade.

Held at the Carlos Lezama Netball Court in Lincoln Terrace Park, the breakfast brought together leaders and supporters from across New York’s Caribbean communities for networking, presentations and recognition of Caribbean contributions to the city.

This year’s gathering also honored reggae artist Buju Banton and soca artist Kes, whose name is Kees Dieffenthaller, as honorary grand marshals before the day’s parade along Eastern Parkway.

The breakfast is among the signature events organized by WIADCA as part of New York’s annual Labor Day Caribbean Carnival celebrations, which draw Caribbean communities from across the city and Diaspora to Brooklyn.

Here are select scenes from the 2026 WIADCA VIP Breakfast.

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