6th Annual Caribbean Heritage Festival – A Blast of Cultural Fusion
Los Angeles, CA- The Los Angeles Carnival Festival, a nonprofit organization, in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles and Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Council District 8, presented the 2025 edition of the Caribbean Heritage Festival, Sunday, September 28, from 12:00 pm-7:00 pm.
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA- The Los Angeles Carnival Festival, a nonprofit organization, in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles and Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Council District 8, presented the 2025 edition of the Caribbean Heritage Festival, Sunday, September 28, from 12:00 pm-7:00 pm.
The festival returned to the Leimert Park Village, the heart and cultural hub of the beautiful city of Los Angeles. I couldn’t have picked a better event to celebrate my birthday.
The festivities were held at the upper deck parking lot of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, 3650 W. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90008
Plenazo Tribe, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Thousands converged on the upper deck parking lot for this spectacular event. Caribbean Heritage Festival celebrated the rich, diverse, and vibrant culture of the Caribbean. The crowd consisted of people from the USA, Mexico, Central and South America, as well as attendees from other countries.
The festival featured an array of arts and crafts, international cuisine provided by the Island of the Patty Hutt, On Pointtt Jerk Chicken Food Truck, and Trini Style Cuisine, to name a few.
The festival consisted of breathtaking costumes by Marvin Bendana, dancers, vendors, a fashion show, live music, and entertainment, as well as an International Costume Parade.
KG Superstar returned as host of this EPIC cultural celebration. DJ Selecta EZB was on deck, pumping out the infectious sounds of the Caribbean (Reggae, Reggaeton, Samba, Plena, Salsa, Soca, a little bit of Calypso, and some Afro Beats from Africa.
Caribbean Heritage Festival was a great celebration of CULTURE, COMMUNITY, UNITY, and DIVERSITY as “ONE WORLD-ONE PEOPLE.”
The festival featured an impressive lineup of renowned artists to thoroughly entertain the crowd. The day got off to a good start with a set of Reggae and Soca performed superbly by BZ Royalz.
Janeisha John, Family and Friends, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Next up was an electrifying performance by Plenazo Tribe, with infectious rhythms of Plena, Reggaeton, and other beats from the diaspora. Plenazo Tribe is a collective of global musicians that has redefined Plena, bringing it to audiences far and wide.
The Real Faces featuring LaToxi Candy performed an original track in a tribute to the Caribbean Heritage Festival and event producer, Dr. Harold Ganga. Raiz Brazil, led by Jonia and fellow dancers was dazzling throughout their time in the spotlight.
Einstein added to the festivities with an upbeat set of selections mixed with Soca and Reggae vibes to the delight of all in attendance.
The Caribbean Carnival Parade was lively, colorful, and vibrant. A stilt walker led the crowd of dancers, Carnival Queens, and participants from the fashion show in elaborate costumes around the venue.
Dr. Harold Ganga, cultural activist and Caribbean Heritage Festival producer, welcomes the 2025-2026 Hollywood Carnival Queens. The 2025-2026 Queens in attendance were Nikisha Cummings (Caribbean), Jay Rinaman (Africa), Jonia McClenney (South America), and Monika Spruch (Europe).
Caribbean Carnival Queens, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
My enjoyment of this awesome event ended before Dr. Harold Ganga and Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s special presentation to several notable individuals. Janeisha John, Anastasia Ali, and Skinny Fabulous received the 2025 Caribbean Heritage Award.
This is precisely the time when the show cranked it up a notch. Gamal Doyle, also known as Skinny Fabulous, arrived straight from the Southern Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Skinny Fabulous, a prolific Soca musician, singer, songwriter, brought big vibes, lots of energy, and non-stop Island flavor for a headlining performance at the 6th Annual Caribbean Heritage Festival.
Google search Caribbean Heritage Festival, click on Videos, so that you see what you missed on the fantabulous day in the City of Angels.
