The Long Island Children’s Museum was filled with music, color and movement as they hosted the second annual Carnival, a cultural celebration for the traditions and identities of Caribbean and Latin American cultures.
The Feb. 28 event, welcomed families for a day of dance, crafts and interactive experiences that were inspired by the global festival.
Caribbean Carnival is rooted in African traditions. Mainly the resistance against colonial slavery.
There were musical performances by the Brazilian Samba Novo troupe, along with a parade where performers and attendees walked around the museum to close out the event.
Throughout the day, the troupe provided energy to the crowd with samba and salsa music while inviting children to learn dance steps to the music alongside dancers. There were also towering stilt walkers and an opportunity for families to join in the Carnival’s float parade with their own decorated miniature floats made at the event.
Children were able to do hands-on crafts like maraca making and ribbon stick designs and the chance to learn about how wildlife influenced the traditional Carnival imagery.
By blending celebration with cultural education, the museum created an event that gathered the community and left them with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for Carnival’s rich traditions.
