Charlotte had, then lost, a Caribbean carnival. Now a reggae club owner has plans
The rhythmic sounds of steel drums, vibrant costumes, and plumes of feathers will bring the spirit of Caribbean culture to Charlotte again, this time in uptown.
The first Queen City Caribbean Carnival will debut June 25-28, featuring a multi-day lineup of festivities culminating in a masquerade parade.
Elvado Laing, co-owner of The Reggae Lounge, is the driving force behind the carnival’s revival. A native of Freeport, Bahamas, Laing moved to Charlotte eight years ago. Two years ago, he and his wife, Lytondra, opened their reggae club on Statesville Avenue, just north of uptown.
‘It’s something that needs to happen because the (Caribbean) community is huge,” Laing said.
His assessment is backed by U.S. Census data, which showed that from 2011 to 2021, Mecklenburg County’s Caribbean population surged by more than 113% to over 70,000 with ties to Caribbean islands or countries bordering the Caribbean Sea.
The latest U.S. Census data from last year showed people from Latin America make up the largest portion of foreign-born residents in both Mecklenburg County and the Charlotte Metro, with a population of about 94,479 and 156,278, respectively. Latin Americans are from nations in the Caribbean, and Central and South America, according to the census.
As this growing population aims to embrace their roots and share their culture with the wider community, the carnival serves as a historic expression of emancipation.
A previous iteration of the Charlotte Caribbean Carnival ran for four years under different organizers, and this new venture seeks to build on that momentum.
In 2024, the last year for that carnival, it drew over 2,000 people. While significant, it remains a fraction of the attendance seen in cities like Miami that sees a crowd of 100,000 or Atlanta with about 10,000 people.
“Every major city has a Caribbean carnival, and Charlotte hasn’t had one in about two years,” Laing said.
Officials with the former Charlotte Caribbean Carnival did not respond to requests for comment.
Laing brings extensive experience in organizing large-scale Caribbean and music festivals, including helping to launch Raleigh’s carnival.
That event, the 13th annual CaribMask Caribbean Carnival, will be held in August, and has grown into one of Raleigh’s largest summer attractions. It draws around 15,000 attendees, according to Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau
Beyond the celebration, these festivals serve as tourism economic engines, according to The Miami Herald. The McClatchy Media newspaper reported that Caribbean carnivals in the U.S. collectively generate hundreds of millions of dollars. The multi-day Miami Carnival alone contributes over $127 million in regional economic impact.
Laing expects a “significant" out-of-town presence for Charlotte’s event. Early indicators are promising: a block of 75 rooms at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown, the host hotel, was fully booked by the end of last month.
“Carnival is freedom, it’s culture, it’s creativity, it’s the community all in one,” said Cece Thomas, a Caribbean band leader. “In Charlotte, carnival will bring diversity to the city, and it will create opportunity for local agencies and creators as well.”
Queen City Caribbean Carnival highlights and schedule
Here’s the four-day schedule of events:
- Thursday, June 25: Festivities begin with a welcome party “Wuk & Wine” from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Rabbit Hole, 1801 Commonwealth Ave.
- Friday, June 26: J’ouvert, where clothes get covered in color powder, starts at 9 p.m. at Euphoria IV, 6912 Old Lawyers Road.
- Saturday, June 27: The marquee half-mile parade route steps off at noon at Ninth and Brevard streets turning onto Seventh Street and ending at Victoria Yards, 209 E. 7th St. Fourteen bands, including five local groups and nine others traveling from as far as Philadelphia and Atlanta, will showcase costumes and flags representing Caribbean nations. The carnival will end at 8 p.m., followed by an after-party at 10 p.m. back at Euphoria IV.
- Sunday, June 28: Good Mawnin Charlotte or “The Breakfast Fete” is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Varsity Lounge, 521 N. College St.
“We do have an hour-and-a-half to two hours to complete the parade, so we’re going to take our time getting there,” Laing said. “Expect a lively parade celebrating Caribbean culture.”
The "Village” at Victoria Yards is the parade’s finish line with live entertainment, along with food and craft vendors. “It’s just a day of enjoyment for the family,” Laing said.
‘A melting pop of cultures’ in Charlotte
The festival is an opportunity for the city’s Caribbean community to get together and for others to learn more about the culture, said Thomas, a native of Islands of Trinidad and Tobago who grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Charlotte 10 years ago.
“I want people to understand that Carnival is not just entertainment, it’s an experience that builds community, it creates memory and keeps Caribbean culture alive,” Thomas said.
The parade is free, but all other events are ticketed.
“Charlotte is a melting pot of cultures,” Laing said. “Carnival is one way to celebrate Caribbean people. This is going to be something that’s going to be in Charlotte for years to come.”
