1998 DCCC REPORT

DC Caribbean Carnival, inc.  is a community based, non profit organization whose ongoing mission is to plan, organize, and bring to fruition in the District of Columbia and Annual Caribbean-Style Carnival parade. DCCC is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

DCCC has been successfully planning and organizing it's Annual Caribbean Carnival parade on the last Saturday of June each year since 1993. This multidisciplinary feast of culture -- showcasing Caribbean music, dance, arts and crafts, fashion and food -- is perhaps the largest cultural festival in the Washington, D.C. area.

Participation in the carnival is open to any organization and/or individuals interested in showcasing the cultural art form of the Caribbean. The 1998 carnival season began enthusiastically with the leaders of masquerade groups undertaking fundraising activities to offset costs incurred in their groups portrayals. From the attendance of these "band launchings," DCCC was assured that the atmosphere would be compelling for the staging of this common denominator of all Caribbean islands with their large African, East Indian, and European populations.

• The 1998 Caribbean Carnival parade included 25 masquerade groups with 3,00 masqueraders - up from 6 groups and 500 masqueraders in 1993. There were colorful costumed portrayals by children and adults of all ages, steel bands, calypso/soca music, and African drummers.

• The 1998 Caribbean Carnival parade attracted audiences of all ages, income and ethnic backgrounds, not only from the Washington metropolitan area, but also as far away as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Miami, New York, Toronto, Montreal, New Jersey, Atlanta, and California. An enthusiastic crowd of some 300,000 spectators lined the Georgia Avenue parade route.

DCCC is grateful for the financial support and in-kind contributions from the following corporations and individuals: 

Our corporate sponsors have been favorably impressed with the impact that the DC Caribbean Carnival parade has had in the community. City officials have been supportive of our efforts, in part because of economic impact of the parade on the city of Washington, DC.

By putting on a Caribbean-Style Carnival parade, DCCC is educating children and adults in Caribbean arts, crafts, and culture. Preparing for the parade gives participants an opportunity to learn the art of costume designing and building (including the rare art of wire bending to create costumes), as well as the art of playing the steel pan, the only new musical instrument developed in the 20th century.

In the coming year, DCCC hopes to expand it educational efforts by insinuating s program in Washington/metropolitan area schools to teach students the arts of costume building and design and playing the steel pan. The enthusiasm shown by students in the economic and social interplay of carnival with its therapeutic benefits, such as music, dance, revelry, culture, and social interaction. If we are able to raise enough funds from sponsorship packages in 1999, DCCC also hopes to offer college scholarships to deserving students who meet the criteria for the planned Brian Walker Scholarship Award.

In summary, the past year has been and exciting year of growth and promise for DCCC, but many challenges remain for 1999 and beyond. With the continued creativity and tenacity of bandleaders, as well as financial support from our sponsors, we will undoubtedly be able to meet these challenges.