The 40th anniversary of the Miami Carnival was celebrated this past Sunday with a spectacular Parade of Bands featuring 17 masquerade groups, marking a significant milestone in the region’s cultural calendar. This vibrant event has become a cornerstone of South Florida’s identity and reinforces the Carnival’s role as a unifying force for the area’s cultural diversity and creativity.
Attendees were treated to a dazzling display of colors, intricate costumes, and the lively sounds of Soca music, making Miami Carnival a thoughtfully curated celebration of Caribbean heritage. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Events in South Florida, the Carnival offered a dynamic blend of pageantry, music, food, arts and crafts, and cultural experiences, drawing thousands eager to embrace the joyous spirit of Caribbean culture and its artistic expression.
The successful 40th-anniversary celebration was made possible through the generous support of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the host sponsor, along with backing from the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor, and the Board of County Commissioners.
The day featured elaborate costumes, cultural performances, and an all-star Mega Soca Concert, further showcasing the rich traditions of the Caribbean.
2024 Miami Carnival Winners
Band of the Year
- 1st Place: Gen-X Carnival – Portrayal: Miami Carnival-Ravenous
- 2nd Place: Ramajay Mas International – Portrayal: Free Spirit
- 3rd Place: Big and Strong/One Island – Portrayal: A Night at the Louvre
- 4th Place: Pleasure Mas – Portrayal: Romancing the Stone
Queen of Carnival
- 1st Place: Reisha Maynard – Portrayal: The Phoenix Warrior (Ramajay Mas International)
- 2nd Place: Charlene Samuels – Portrayal: Aurora: Goddess of Dawn (Freaks Mas)
- 3rd Place: Jessy Schuester – Portrayal: Arachnes (Revel Nation Carnival)
King of Carnival
- 1st Place: Percival Maynard – Portrayal: Roar: Spirit of the King (Ramajay Mas International)
- 2nd Place: Glen Turnbull – Portrayal: Mr. Majesty (The Forest) (Dingolay Mas)
- 3rd Place: Cletus Evans – Portrayal: Chronos Father Time (Freaks Mas)
Female Individual of the Year
- 1st Place: Janeille Campbell – Portrayal: Aello (Revel Nation Carnival)
- 2nd Place: Amber-Lynn Lewis – Portrayal: Pixiu (Revel Nation Carnival)
- 3rd Place: Kaiomi Inniss – Portrayal: SUNDJATA (Party Room Squad)
Male Individual of the Year
- 1st Place: Neil Williams – Portrayal: Palais Royale (Savage Mas)
DJ Awards
- Best Local DJ:
- Wassi Ones – Eternal Vibes
- Ramajay Mas International – GBM Productions
- Euphoria Mas, Inc – DJ J Rocca
- Best Out-of-Town DJ:
- Gen-X Carnival – DJ Kevin Crown
- Savage Mas – Shakton: LovaBoi
- Big and Strong/One Island – DJ Elon Baker
Road March 2024 (Calypso Most Played)
- 1st Place: Problem Child – Carnival Jumbie
- 2nd Place: Bunji Garlin – Carnival Contract
- 3rd Place: Mical Teja – DNA
Miami Carnival’s 40th anniversary was not just a celebration of the past but a vibrant reaffirmation of the Caribbean culture that continues to thrive in South Florida.
