Mayor Domenic J. Sarno was honored to congratulate Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi on being named this year’s Springfield Caribbean Carnival Parade marshal. Fire Commissioner Calvi, Police Superintendent Akers Larry Akers, City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce, and members of the Springfield Fire and Police Departments joined on Saturday with District Fire Chief Curt Marcellin, Delva Campbell, the Caribbean American African Athletic Social Club, and Springfield Caribbean Carnival Association to march from Rebecca Johnson School to Blunt Park for the annual Springfield Caribbean Festival Parade. The annual Caribbean Carnival followed at Blunt Park.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank District Fire Chief Curt Marcellin, the Springfield Carnival Association and the Caribbean American African Athletics Social Club, and our entire Caribbean community for continuing to hold this wonderful tradition; the costumes, music and food are wonderful and a must see. I am sorry I was not able to be there in-person to march this year, I was with you in spirit. I am also very proud to continue to donate and support the Springfield Caribbean Carnival Associations Scholarship program that helps high school seniors of Caribbean heritage who are pursing higher education.”
“Congratulations to Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi on being named this year’s Carnival Parade Grand Marshal,” Mayor Sarno continued. “And thank you to our dedicated Springfield Fire and Police Departments for joining to make the very colorful, vibrant, entertaining parade special, and to our Parks staff for their dedicated efforts at Blunt Park and parks across the city. From the delicious Caribbean food, arts, fashion, entertainment – even a traditional Caribbean stilt-walker, also known as ‘Moko Jumbies,’ music, and family traditions – there is so much to celebrate when it comes to our Springfield Caribbean community. We also proudly celebrate the legacy and memory our beloved and dearly missed Vera O'Connor who gave so much to this celebration. Today and every day, the city of Springfield is proud to acknowledge and recognize the Springfield Carnival Association and the Caribbean American African Athletics Social Club as we come together to celebrate Caribbean Heritage. Good health and God Bless.”
