It was a perfect day for any kind of outdoor event Saturday and the 2nd annual Belleville Caribbean Festival was no exception.
The Downtown District was packed with people ready to get into that special kind of groove only the Caribbean islands can offer and there was no shortage of music to fill the bill.
Front Street was lined with vendors of all kinds and the air was filled with the enticing scents of Caribbean specialties on the grill.
There was, unfortunately, one rather large fly in the ointment. A large group of dancers and masqueraders got stuck behind a serious accident on Highway 401 in the Whitby area.
They could not make it to the parade in time, leaving only a dozen or so performers who gave it their all in a colourful but brief parade, more than happy to oblige selfies with the many in the crowd who asked for one.
Everyone who travels the 401 will understand the situation. And as event chair, Councillor Sean Kelly, succinctly put it, “There’s nothing we can do about it.” CAO of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce Jill Raycroft said, “It is what it is but this is going to be a good show despite it.”
At press time it wasn’t known whether the stranded dancers arrived at the festival later in the day. The celebrations were to last until 11 p.m.
Enjoy some photos and video from the 2023 Belleville Caribbean Festival.
Belleville’s Chief of Police Mike Callaghan led the parade through the Downtown District. (Photo: Quinte News)
