Thousands come to Flatbush for first Jamaica Rising Day Parade

Thousands of people turned out in Brooklyn Saturday for what organizers said isn’t only the city’s first-ever Jamaica Rising Day Parade — but the first in the United States.

The parade comes as Jamaica marks its 64th year of independence, after more than three centuries of British control — with Jamaica Independence Day just a few days earlier, on Aug. 6.

Organizer Bill Tinglin told “All Things Considered” host Sean Carlson this week he wanted to make a celebratory statement: “Yes, Jamaica is raising its flag, and here we are, the first of its kind in the United States, and let’s just enjoy the joy.”

The parade stepped off at 11 a.m. from Church and Ocean avenues in Flatbush, and continued north along Ocean Avenue until Lincoln Road near Empire Boulevard. Familiar Brooklyn musical presence DJ Danglez, a member of Federation Sound, was tapped as the “star DJ” for a festival that included reggae, dancehall, soca and R&B music

It’s a big weekend for cultural and community events. Summer Streets is providing a car-free path from the top to bottom of Manhattan Saturday — with a significant police presence. The Giglio Society of East Harlem’s annual Giglio Feast started Thursday and continues through Sunday, with games, rides, food and live entertainment. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is in Flushing Meadows Corona Park Saturday and Sunday. And The 44th annual Dominican Day Parade — among the largest parades of the year in New York City — steps off from Sixth Avenue and West 38th Street in Manhattan at 11 a.m Sunday.

Photos by Helen Ho.