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Bushnell Park
Hartford, CT
August 13, 2011
This was <span style="font-weight: bold">THE YEAR</span> to be at this event. There were so many emotions running deep and lots of politics behind the scene, but I am proud to say that the 49th annual Greater Hartford West Indian Celebration went without a hitch! The parade, food, music, and free concert were enjoyed by all!
The celebration usually begins with a parade that follows a route along North Main Street, and ends right at the Hartford/Windsor line. North Main Street is the epicenter of Jamaican culture here in Hartford. The West Indian Social Club is located there as well as many other Jamaican owned and operated nightclubs, restaurants, and businesses. Because of the escalating violence that has marred the parade over the years, and increasing costs to have the event sufficiently policed, the decision was made to have the celebrations moved to Bushnell Park in Downtown Hartford.
This decision was met with uproar, as business owners and past vendors declared that they would have lost potential revenue from this move. I was pleased to see that the fees for vendor permits were made reasonable. There were many vendors in the designated section of the park.
Bushnell Park has a rich history. It was the first municipally funded park in the USA and was founded in 1853 by Reverend Horace Bushnell. There is a playground and a restored 1914 carousel for the kids, a pond, exotic trees, and an area large enough to accommodate audiences for large concerts.
The park is overlooked by the State Capitol.
Hartford, CT
August 13, 2011
This was <span style="font-weight: bold">THE YEAR</span> to be at this event. There were so many emotions running deep and lots of politics behind the scene, but I am proud to say that the 49th annual Greater Hartford West Indian Celebration went without a hitch! The parade, food, music, and free concert were enjoyed by all!
The celebration usually begins with a parade that follows a route along North Main Street, and ends right at the Hartford/Windsor line. North Main Street is the epicenter of Jamaican culture here in Hartford. The West Indian Social Club is located there as well as many other Jamaican owned and operated nightclubs, restaurants, and businesses. Because of the escalating violence that has marred the parade over the years, and increasing costs to have the event sufficiently policed, the decision was made to have the celebrations moved to Bushnell Park in Downtown Hartford.
This decision was met with uproar, as business owners and past vendors declared that they would have lost potential revenue from this move. I was pleased to see that the fees for vendor permits were made reasonable. There were many vendors in the designated section of the park.
Bushnell Park has a rich history. It was the first municipally funded park in the USA and was founded in 1853 by Reverend Horace Bushnell. There is a playground and a restored 1914 carousel for the kids, a pond, exotic trees, and an area large enough to accommodate audiences for large concerts.
The park is overlooked by the State Capitol.
To my understanding, the parade began at Main and Battles Streets, and headed south, ending in Bushnell Park.
She walked onto the stage to the tune of "She's Royal". 
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