After many years of unprecedented challenges, the Caribbean Carnival Bands of Boston are finally looking toward the light at the end of the tunnel with cautious optimism. This comes on the heels of the final set of meetings with the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston (CACAB) and their continuous  lack of respect for our craft and culture. 

This effort is about being able to honor the past, improving our present, and growing our future as a multigenerational community. 

In order for us to move forward, we The Boston Mas Band Associations (Tentative) a collaboration of Boston’s Carnival, J’ouvert bands, and the Caribbean community within the Commonwealth concluded that the following needs to happen:

• A new board, voted by the people
• A complete by-law review 
• Increased investment in participation including cultural education and programming surrounding the carnival
• Revision of a safety plan with the City of Boston 
• A reboot of the events we have lost throughout the years: Panorama, JR Carnival, King and Queens Showcase 

Many promotional entities, public figures, and bands have come together and decided we had to take a stance, to protect our culture, masqueraders, and Caribbean community as a whole. This bold stance strategically enhances the longevity of the  Boston Carnival. We have tried to participate and voice our demands with the current organization, but to no avail, our demands and needs have gone unheard which has proven to be frivolous. 

Historically, Boston has been known as the 3rd largest carnival in North America, and the longest-running parade in Massachusetts at 49 years. However, due to low participation over the last decade, both locally and abroad.  Thousands were drawn to Boston, ultimately generating thousands of dollars in tourism for the City of Boston. The Carnival generates business for several sectors in Boston from hotels, restaurants, and more. It also brings multi-generational families together.

We have listened to community residents, businesses, and past participants who are in agreement that change is urgently needed. As part of our new direction, the BMBA has opted to move on from our participation in the Boston Carnival festivities for 2022 that is led by CACAB and will focus on a much more comprehensive and inclusive carnival product for 2023 and beyond! We thank the CACAB Committee for all their efforts and wish them well with their events. 

Much More information to follow!