Cambridge Carnival
18 Years of Fun & Diversity
Cambridge Carnival International is a colorful and festive celebration that is rooted in African traditions. The festival, in its 18th year, is considered a Cambridge Institution as it's the largest festival in Cambridge, attracting over 150,000 people. The highlight of the festival is a grand costume parade accompanied by rich rhythmic musicality promoting all types of cultures. Participants can be seen as revelers masquerading through the streets of Cambridge in dazzling handmade costumes dancing to the beat of Carnival. Carnival is also an opportunity to enjoy international foods, and to purchase multicultural crafts from around the world!
Sunday, September 12
Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA
12-7 pm
About Carnival
2009 Media
Route & Logistics
Parade Route: The parade route has been expanded and will span 1.5 miles and passes through Cambridgeport, Central Square, and Kendall Square. It starts at Blackstone Street and River Street, continues up River Street, and onto Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square. From Central Square, it continues down Massachusetts Avenue to Main Street into Kendall Square.
Public Transportation: The event can be accessed by public transportation via the MBTA red line. The parade starts near the Central Square T-stop on the Red Line. Take the MBTA stop to Kendall Square for the festival site.
Street Closings: Main Street will be closed from Vassar Street to Broadway and Ames Street from just pass the MIT Hospital to Broadway will be closed from 7am- 10pm. Main Street will be closed from Mass Avenue (Central Square) to Vassar Street from 8am- 8pm. River Street will be closed from 12:30-4pm for the parade. Massachusetts Avenue will be closed on the North side from 12:30-4pm for the parade.
Directions: To obtain directions from where you originate, see Mapquest and plug in Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street for the parade route or Main Street and Ames Street for the festival site. Mapquest.com
Event Map: We will soon post a detail map showing where the route will travel and the locations of KidsFest, recreation, information booths, and band / stage locations.
2008 Media
Caribbean Heritage Celebrated Newspaper, (August 25, 2008). The city of Cambridge came together for its annual Cambridge Carnival International yesterday to celebrate the city's cutural diversity and the traditions of African and the Caribbean...
It's Carnival Sunday: Dance or dodge (Boston Globe, August 24, 2008). The 16th annual Cambridge Carnival, which drew 60,000 people last year to Kendall Square, takes place today from noon to 7 p.m. On top of the parades, vibrant costumes, kids crafts, and Afro-Caribbean food, there will be live music and dancing featuring the sounds of calypso and samba...
Annual Cambridge Carnival International in Cambridge, MA (Vacationsmadeeasy.com)
Cambridge Carnival Parade through Central Square(Centralsquare.com)
Get Ready for Cambridge Carnival August 24(Cambridge Chronicle, July 14, 2008)
Cambridge Celebrates Arts at the River(Cambridge Community Television, June 16, 2008)
Media
Over the past 17 years Cambridge Carnival has received tons of press. Here are some highlights of recent press. Click our media links for past and current releases and articles.
Press Releases
Cambridge Carnival – A Cambridge Institution of International Rhythms
July 2009 Press Release
Entertainment
Carnival Schedule
Costume Parade: 12:30 - 4PM
The parade will feature steel bands and juried costume competition . The route pans 1.3 miles and the procession kicks off between 12:30pm and 1pm, starts near the Charles River at River Street and Blackstone Street, passes through Central Square along Massachusetts Avenue, continues up Main Street and ends in Kendall Square near MIT, Cambridge.
2009 Parade participants included: Aztec Gino, Cumm Cross Productions, Dynasty Productions, Jah Jah Drummers, Majestical Force, Soca Associates, Open Air Circus, Panamanian Panamara, Pan United, and Tempo International .
Viewing Stage: 12 - 6:30PM
Viewing Stage features guest DJ's
KidsFest: 12 - 6:30PM
KidsFest zone with activities for childen ages 5 to 14 years with face painting, stilt walking, and arts and craft activities.
Musicians/Performers: 12 - 6:30PM
Musical accompaniments have set the tone for worldwide carnival celebrations. Bands representing several island and South American nations provide the sounds of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean, Calypso, Reggae, Compa, Punta, and Salsa music.
DJ Illabash will be featured at the Globe near the Kendall Square T Stop.
2009 Costume parade winners
Congratulations 2009 Band of the Year Winners!
First Prize: Tie between Cumm Cross Productions & Soca Associates
Third Prize: Dynasty Productions
Fourth Prize: Majestical Force
Honorable Mention: Aztec Gino
Registration
Volunteer
Register for the Parade
Participating in the Parade
Masqueraders & Dance Troupes
Masqueraders parading in colorful costumes are the highlights of Carnival. Feathers, plumes, bright colored silks and satin with jeweled and hand beaded designs adorn beautiful dancers as they stroll from near the Charles River, to Central Square, to Technology Square in the foreground of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
To register a costume band, or to participate in the parade download one of the two following forms in the download center:
Band Leader & Community Groups Registration Download
Cambridge Carnival Corporate Challenge Form Download
Need a costume? If you would like to participate in the parade and need a costume, ou can contact any of the Band Leaders at Boston Carnival Village(www.bostoncarnivalvillage.com)
If you are excited about Cambridge Carnival, you want to get involved, and have the energy and enthusiasm to coordinate public activities, please download the Volunteer Application in the download center.
We need individuals who can help with promotions, information booths, stage setup, and KidsFest, parade logistics, stage management, public relations, distributing flyers, making phone calls, vendor management, as well as, providing directions and safety measures to help with crowd flow.
Email or call us to sign up!
Vendor Applications
Buy Now
2009 VENDOR BOOTHS ARE SOLD OUT! NO MORE SPOTS.
Food, craft, and retail vendors are welcome to participate in the Cambridge Carnival. We are now accepting credit card and paypal payments online! Just dowload the forms and fax us the application.
The special focus on Caribbean and International cultures and cuisines as well as arts and crafts reflect our commitment to fostering community participation.
FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS:
Please download the application from the Download Center and complete the form and caclulate the payment amount. Make sure you include all fees that are applicable such as propane fee and late fee. You application is not complete until we have full payment and a signed form.
Please download the correct application and be sure to read the details related to set-up and breakdown, costs and deadlines.
NO VENDORS ACCEPTED ON DAY OF EVENT!
Forms to download (Found in the Download center):
Download Craft and Corporate (Non-Food) Vendor Application Arts, Crafts, handmade goods use the Non-Food Vendor Application. PLEASE READ THE RULES CAREFULLY.
Download Food Vendor Application
If it is something to eat, you need the Food Vendor Application, which includes all the required City of Cambridge forms. NO GLASS BOTTLES ALLOWED. PLEASE READ THE RULES CAREFULLY.
Download Center
Information Tables & Sponsors
Nonprofits can set-up tables at Cambridge Carnival to provide public information and promotional materials for a modest fee. Limited slots available on a first come, first serve basis. Submit Non-Food application for processing.
Sponsors
For the past 17 years, Cambridge Carnival has been depending on corporate sponsorship to bring this international event to the citizens of Cambridge and New England. We want to thank our 2009 sponsors for their support in presenting our 2009 Cambridge Carnival International.
Carnival is the ideal community relationship-building event. Sponsor packages still available.
Sponsors and Contributions
We need your continued support and welcome you to participate in Cambridge Carnival or make financial contributions.
Please contact us by email or telephone for a corporate sponsorship packages. Our packages are customized to meet the unique needs of our sponsors.
2009 Volunteer Application
Contact Us
2009 Planning Committee
Patty Deschineau
Drucilla Edwards
Rocky Jeanty
Owen Howell
Dorothy E. Hudson
Jean Lochard
Ellis Mendes
Gregory O'Bannon
Wayne Robinson
Maxine Samuels
Christine Scarlett
Natalie Syrion
Cecile Williams
Nicola A. Williams
2009 Board of Directors
Nicola A. Williams - President
Natalie Syrion - Treasurer
Staff: Emerson Kington - Production Mgr.
Contact The Cambridge Carnival!
Please feel free to contanct us, we are happy to respond to your inquiries and answer any question!
Call: (617) 492-2518
Fax: (617) 492-2647
Email: cambridgecarnival_gmail.com
Cambridge Carnival International, Inc.
P.O. Box 390468, Cambridge, MA 02139
Partner Links:
2009 Sponsors
