Arts & Culture

POV: Partying in the Parade at the Baltimore/Washington One Carnival & Caribbean Festival

A photo recap of this year’s annual, energetic-as-ever celebration at Druid Hill Park.

Thousands lined the paths of Druid Hill Park this past weekend to celebrate Baltimore’s many Caribbean communities at the Baltimore Washington One Carnival, which has been a local staple for more than four decades.

Now a three-day event, the fest features authentic food, live music, and non-stop activities for all ages. But its crown jewel continues to be its parade—a three-mile, heart-thumping procession of dancers, musicians, stilt walkers, and revelers (often covered with mud, clay, or paint to align with the ancient mud mas tradition) showing off stunning cultural attire.

Sporadic downpours and excessive heat didn’t even come close to putting a damper on the party this year. Here’s a look at all of the color, costumes, and culture through the lens of contributing photojournalist J.M. Giordano’s 20-year-old Nikon D200.