The ultimate silver lining to the end of summer is the 44th Annual West Indian-American Labor Day Parade, a time-honored treat for all of your senses that has the distinction of being New York City’s largest cultural festival, drawing some 3 million people. Bring a camera to capture the dazzling explosion of colorful costumes bouncing down the Eastern Parkway to the joyful sounds of reggae and calypso. The parade is free, but you’ll need some cash to partake in the feast of delicious island cuisine (think jerk chicken, curry goat, coconut bread, and callaloo) available from vendors all along the parade’s route. This tradition is one of Brooklyn’s most cherished, so be sure to come out and celebrate the end the summer of 2011 with an enthusiastic bang.
