J'Ouvert Festival Back In Crown Heights On Sept. 5: Mayor's Office

CROWN HEIGHTS, NY — For the first time in two years the J’Ouvert festival is back on Sept. 5 from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., according to the Mayor’s Office.

The Haitian festival name originates from the French jour ouvert, meaning day break or morning, and signals the start of carnand. The parade features steel band music and often revelers take to the street wining and chipping their way in thours before the daytime West Indian Day Carnival, said the Mayor’s Office.

The West Indian Day Carnival is expected to start at 12 p.m. on Eastern Parkway and stretch along to the end of the parkway until it hits the Brooklyn Museum at 200 Eastern Parkway, according to the West Indian Day Carnival Association.

“Expect a lot of bands,” according to spokeswoman from WIDCA.

The J’Ouvert festival, which often features colorful costumes, Haitian cuisine and of course lots of dancing, is to kick off at Nostrand Avenue between Midwood and Maple streets, according to a Facebook post by event organizers Jouvert City International.

The parade will extend to Nostrand Avenue and Empire Boulevard to Empire Boulevard and Flatbush Avenue and Flatbush Avenue to Grand Army Plaza, according to the parade map.

This year’s theme for the festival is Rejuvenate: Breaking the Chain and Embracing the Moment, according to JCI.

Upon entering the parade route, police will be checking for weapons and alcohol, according to the Mayor’s Office.