Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Photos: J'Ouvert Celebrations Bring Excitement And Energy To Brooklyn
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 3, 2018
Modified Sep 4, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Scott Heins / Gothamist
View all 28
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 3, 2018
Modified Sep 4, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The annual pre-West Indian American Day parade event, J'Ouvert, attracted crowds of revelers with Caribbean pride this morning in Brooklyn.
For a second year in a row, the city heavily restricted access to the celebration, with the NYPD screening attendees at designated checkpoints along Eastern Parkway, and moved the start time to 6 a.m., hours later than previous years in an effort to limit violent incidents. (There were two shootings near the parade route, but it's unclear if they were related to J'Ouvert.)
Photographer Scott Heins noted, "Security was less clogged than last year from the observations I had near the check-in gate on Flatbush. Other checkpoints along the route at times had lines but I never saw one more than 10 people and police were pretty casual about waving metal detector wands over people, peeking in bags, and waving people through." And, on the first weekend of NYC's new, more relaxed marijuana policy, many people were spotted with pot, and Heins said, "I didn't see any cops ticketing."
Turnout seemed similar to last year, but Heins added, "It's still worth noting that compared to years past, when J'Ouvert started at 2 a.m., turnout for 2017 and 2018 has been noticeably decreased."
By 7:30 a.m., J'Ouvert was in full swing, with bands—who have been practicing and preparing for months—playing loudly. Steel pan band Despers wore t-shirts proclaiming, "Panorama Champions 2018," as they won the competition on Sunday. (Take that, Kathleen Riley!)
Tagged
caribbean culture
Crown Heights
jouvert
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .