MIAMI – At a Board Meeting held on Wednesday, October 29th, Ruthven Williams was unanimously appointed Interim Chairman of Miami Carnival. Ruthven will also continue to hold the position of Treasurer. A founding member of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, the organization which staged Miami Carnival’s first parade 25 years ago, “Rudy” is the only Board Member who was involved in the Association at that time.
On Sunday, October 11th, 2009 Miami Carnival will celebrate its Silver Jubilee – the 25th Anniversary of Carnival in Miami. It is anticipated that this huge celebration will dwarf all previous Miami Carnivals. Miami’s mas bands and steelbands are already planning their presentations, promoters have started confirming venues and entertainment, and vendors have reserved their booths for 2009. With the continued support of the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, the Caribbean Consular Corps. and the traditional Carnival sponsors, Miami Carnival is planning a summer of activities which will echo previous years, and will return the Carnival to its cultural roots of Mas, Pan and Calypso. The Jubilee will include a repeat of the Mask-Querade/Black Tie Gala, the Kiddies Carnival, and a Caribbean Cultural Show which will include the Kings, Queens and Individuals Competition, Steelband Panorama, and a Calypso/Soca Competition.
With the loss of CEO Selman Lewis, there was some concern about the continuity of the Carnival. The success of the 2008 Carnival indicates that the organization has, in fact, moved from strength to strength.
“We as a Board look forward to making the 25th Anniversary Celebration a tribute to those whom we have lost, the people who founded Miami Carnival, and people like Rootsman who, with his calypso “Miami Vibes” put our Carnival on the North American map” said Ruthven Williams.
