THE OFFICIAL ATLANTA CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL MAINSTAGE COMES ALIVE WITH A LINE-UP OF INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED ARTISTS 
Program Starts at 4 PM at The Carnival Festival Village on Saturday, May 24

The City of Atlanta comes alive on Saturday, May 24, 2008 with the festive celebration of the 20th Annual Atlanta Caribbean Carnival in downtown Atlanta.  “We are not only excited, but also, proud of this year’s festivities,” says Annette Lemonn, President of the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA).  “As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we have worked tirelessly to organize a valuable experience that brings the essence of Carnival from the Caribbean into the City of Atlanta, and beyond.”   

This all-encompassing celebration includes a Parade of Bands that begins at 12 PM on West Peachtree, marches through Peachtree Street, and ends at the Festival Village on Auburn Avenue (between Jesse Hill Jr. and Hilliard) at 2 PM.  Through the ongoing festivities at the Festival Village (from 11 AM-10 PM), the historic Auburn district will be transformed into a mini Caribbean get-away, with a variety of sights, sounds and tastes of the Caribbean.  This includes food, arts and crafts vendors, an interactive children’s area, as well as live onstage entertainment-which begins at 4 PM.

“These onstage activities will not only entertain, but also engage people of diverse backgrounds in a wide array of entertainment that is geared towards stimulating a deeper appreciation of the Caribbean culture,” says Wasi Philbert, Entertainment Chair of the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival.  Internationally-acclaimed artists such as Iwer George, Peter Ram, Problem Child, Jamesy P, Tizzy, Zoela, and many other surprise guest artists will grace the stage with energetic performances.  Also included, will be rhythmic infusions by live soca bands such as Burning Flames and WCK, with all other performances backed by De Soca Unit-the official backing band of the 2008 Trinidad & Tobago Soca Monarch Competition.  One of the highlights of the night’s events will be the unprecedented award presentation by the City of Atlanta, recognizing the many talents of Machel Montano as the “Caribbean Music Ambassador,” as well as the public proclamation of the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival as the one and only “official” Carnival and hallmark event of the Caribbean community in Atlanta, GA.      

This year’s theme “Unity through Diversity,” pays homage to the vast range of people of the Diaspora, who are rooted in a strong sense of pride in the rich Afro-Caribbean heritage.  It also recognizes the sincere drive to unite the many Caribbean sub-cultures, organizations and events, while creating long-term partnerships with non-Caribbean entities and organizations.  The goal is to build upon the strength of cultural diversity to stimulate a sense of “unity” and promote the ongoing growth and viability of the respective communities.  Expected throughout the day, are more than 20,000 diverse local, national and international audiences coming together to revel in this annual festival.

Main sponsors of the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival events include: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, VP Records, Jamaica Tourist Board, Renaissance Hotel Downtown Atlanta, Radio One, Caribworldnews.com, POSH, Jamrock Magazine, Blazin 98, Trini Jungle Juice, Atlanta Journal Constitution, among other promotional partners.