The 8th Annual Queens Carnival on Saturday, August 29 may have been Rockaway’s largest yet. Warm weather brought out great crowds. Hosted by Senator James Sanders Jr., the event featured a long parade from Bayswater Park to O’Donohue Park, with colorful feathered costumes, stilt walkers, floats carrying musicians, and flags from Caribbean island nations. Music stars who performed at the park’s bandshell after the parade included Yankee Boy, Ricochae and Iwer George. Dozens of vendors and resource tables lined the boardwalk from Dredsurfer Grill on east.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Sen. Sanders said, “Far Rockaway showed up and showed out! Queens Carnival 2026 was an incredible celebration of Caribbean culture, music, food, costumes, entertainment, family and community. From the Road March to the performances and festivities, the energy was contagious and the spirit of our community was on full display!”
City Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers added, “I’m proud to stand with our Caribbean community and help create a space where our neighbors can celebrate who we are, where we come from, and the joy we bring to this city.”
Sanders, Brooks-Powers, Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson, Kevin Alexander of RDRC and Nancy Martinez of REMA4US and were key supporters of this year’s Carnival. They extended a “heartfelt thank you” to all the performers, vendors, CBOs, volunteers, sponsors, partners, public officials and hardworking team behind the scenes who helped make the Carnival a success. “This is what community looks like,” Sanders said. “Different cultures, different generations and different neighborhoods coming together as One Queens Family.”
Save the date for next year’s Queens Carnival: Saturday, August 27, 2027! “We’ll see you back in Far Rockaway for an even bigger celebration!” Sanders said.
