The smell of jerk chicken filled the air in a sun baked Moss Side today as the second and final day of the long-awaited return of the Manchester Caribbean Carnival took to Alexandra Park. The carnival had returned this weekend after a two year Covid enforced hiatus, and there couldn't have been a better weekend weather wise to have returned.
The carnival celebrates the city's rich Afro-Caribbean heritage, with Moss Side especially having very strong links. These were on full display in Alexandra Park as the carnival celebrated its 50th anniversary and this year coincided with Jamaica's 60th year of independence.
People were draped in the flags of the Caribbean islands and there was non-stop live music on multiple stages to keep the party atmosphere going. Long lines formed at the food stalls serving a an array of traditional foods from the classic jerk chicken with rice and peas, Jamaican patties, and goat curry.
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The original Manchester Carnival started as an impromptu parade set up by locals, mostly of Trinidadian and St Kitts & Nevis origin. Since then generations of people from the Caribbean islands have come together in Moss Side to unite the people of Manchester with culture, music, heritage and solidarity.
Yesterday saw the famous parades dance and sing their way through the streets of Moss Side. Traffic was halted as families watched and danced and sang, and almost every window lining the route held residents watching on with pure joy.
Jamaican star Serani, best known 'No Games', headlines the music today which has been carried over the weekend by a host of local artists and dancers. The weekend was certainly family friendly with Alexandra Park offering nothing but good vibes as people came together in unity to celebrate an important part of Manchester's history.
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