Tropicalfete, a major Brooklyn-based Caribbean cultural group, on Sunday attracted thousands of onlookers, as it hosted its 2nd Annual Pop-Up Caribbean Carnival in Times Square.

Alton Aimable, the group’s St. Lucian-born founder and director, told Caribbean Life that the crowd was “much bigger than last year.”

Tobago Alpha Dance Academy in their Limbo costume. Photo courtesy Tropicalfete/Alton Aimable

“Being in the center of New York City. I feel extremely proud to put our culture at the crossroads of the world, where the objective is to see that our culture should be acceptable, and attract tourism dollars and sponsorship to cement Caribbean culture as a major part of the American landscape,” he said.

Tropicalfete’s steelpan ensemble. Photo courtesy Tropicalfete/Alton Aimable

“It was beautiful, the crowd came out; it was peaceful and joyful,” Aimable added. “It was a wholesome family event. Everybody, from babies to seniors, enjoyed themselves.”

He said the Pop-Up Caribbean Carnival is “the best of Tropicalfete’s dancing, pageantry, music, stilts, pan, mas and stilts.”

Mr. Charles from Tropicalfete‘s Stilting Unit. Photo courtesy Tropicalfete/Alton Aimable

He said the visiting Tobago Alpha Dance Academy, performing in New York City for the very first time, was Tropicalfete’s special guest performer.

Massive audience enjoying the Tropicalfete‘s pop-up Caribbean Carnival in Times Square. Photo courtesy Tropicalfete/Alton Aimable

The group performed traditional folk and limbo dances.

According to group leader Aquisia Frederick-Thomas, it was “a dream performing in Times Square” for some of her students, as well as for herself.

“During the pandemic, it was an honor to work with Tropicalfete virtually and a joy to our heart to work with Tropicalfete in-person,” she said.

Masqueraders from Kaios International and Dance Brazilian.Photo courtesy Tropicalfete/Alton Aimable

The other groups that participated in the Pop-Up Caribbean Carnival were:  Carib Colors; Kaios International, powered by Diamond Class; Brunches and Associates; Big Boy Productions, powered by Freaks Mas; Dance Brazilian Fitness; Urban Dance Opportunity; and Carnival Dancers.

Aimable said soca artists Julius and 3Nee Shuga also “lit up the Pop-Up Carnival with their songs.”