August 21, 2024
The early-morning J’ouvert parade that kicks off the annual Boston Caribbean Carnival will take place in a new location this weekend as city leaders and event organizers seek to pre-empt any violence that has disrupted past events. Eight people were shot at last summer’s “daybreak” event on Talbot Avenue next to Franklin Field. All of the victims survived and two men were later arrested and charged in the shooting.
Late last week, a proposed relocation to a new route along American Legion Highway and Morton Street was rejected by city officials. Instead, Saturday’s route will start at 5:30 a.m. Shattuck Hospital in Franklin Park and proceed along Circuit Drive to Blue Hill Avenue, where it will disband.
The move from Talbot Avenue, where the parade has been centered for the last 14 years, was supported by Shirley Shillingford, president of the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston (CACAB). Shillingford suggested the move to American Legion Highway, Canterbury Street, Morton Street, and Circuit Drive into Franklin Park due to it being non-residential for most of the march.
Organizers didn’t respond to The Reporter in time for comment on the approved route, but posted about it on social media channels.
“Due to circumstances out of our control, the J’ouvert route has been changed again,” they wrote. “We apologize for any inconvenience. This is not what CACAB wanted, but (we) have to accept.”
The J’ouvert route change does not impact the 51st annual Carnival procession, which will take place later on Aug. 24, departing from Warren Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard at 1 p.m., with all marchers in place by noon. The carnival route will proceed up Warren Street in Grove Hall to Blue Hill Avenue, ending at The Glenway abutting Franklin Park. The Parade concludes at 6 p.m.
Parking restrictions in Dorchester will be in place on Blue Hill Avenue from American Legion Highway to Warren Street; Columbia Road from Blue Hill Avenue to Seaver Street; Old Road, both sides; The Glenway from Blue Hill Avenue to 11 The Glenway; Seaver Street (westbound) from Blue Hill Avenue to 280 Seaver St.; and Circuit Drive in Franklin Park.
Ahead of Saturday, several events will also take place.
The King and Queen Competition will take place on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 6-11 p.m. at English High School in Jamaica Plain. The annual Caribbean Festival Breakfast will take place at City Hall Plaza on Friday, Aug. 23, at 9 a.m.
The CACAB Junior Carnival, and the Boston Kiddies Carnival in White Stadium took place last weekend.
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