PETITION TO CHANGE MIAMI CARNIVALS PARADE ROUTE

There is a petition circulating that is trying to get the Miami/Broward Carnival One Carnival Host Committee to change the carnival parade route from inside the grounds of the Stadium and back to the streets of Miami.

Let's talk.  Some of the people of Miami want the route back on the street so that they can take advantage of the FREE party on the road.  They want to see and be a part of one of the most elaborate parades in South Florida without paying a dime.  For 2012, Machel Montano performed after the the last band crossed the stage and he doesn't come cheap!  We won't discuss who fit THAT bill and who happened to benefit from it for FREE *but we will in a totally separate blog entry.

TRUTH:

• The committee charges vendors within the stadium base prices to sell what ever they see fit. If everyone spent all their time outside of the stadium, they'd make no money. So who will rent a spot again the following year?  Vendors make their money from the people whether inside or out the stadium whether spectator or masquerader. If their contained in one area, it makes it more convenient for all consumers.
• If everyone is jumping up til their heart's content FOR FREE outside, why would they pay to go inside? After the last band enters the stadium, they'd go home.  Has the total essence of the carnival been achieved by the jump up alone?
• It costs a lot more money for the masqueraders to be secured once they're outside of the stadium.  The city of Miami Gardens does not supply free security.  Keeping the parade inside the stadium is more secure and makes more money for a better parade.
• Once you pay to go into the stadium, you're not only paying to spectate, you're paying for the concert at the end.
• The masqueraders have this package included in their band fee and once they get to the stadium before the cutoff time, they get to park inside the stadium for free. Play mas!
• Some of the same people requesting that the parade go back on the streets are the same ones that will be complaining that nonmasqueraders are storming their band.  There is more control inside.
• The parade of bands is a COMPETITION! Winners need to be paid.  If there is no money made there will be none available to pay the winners.  Many masqueraders don't care about winning and just want to have a good time but the people who have to pay winners have to think about it.

Those expecting to see the performances, wine on all the women in the band and partake in the parade for free need to stay home.  I'm not saying that the petition is a complete waste of time, because I too love the mas in the steets. What I AM saying is there is more to this entire carnival parade than just having a good time and wanting to walk on the streets opposed to walking within the stadium grounds.  The money to be made is not just of the committee *who in turn only uses it for a bigger and better carnival for the following year but it gets your regular Joe Smoe an opportunity to "eat a food" too.  People are not understanding that this isn't Trinidad and Tobago where carnival is a NATIONAL custom and is in no way a part of the customs of America.  We are Caribbean people asking to do what we do in our land, in theirs.  Compromises HAVE to be made.

I believe that it is too early to ask for changes. 2012 was the first time the committee tried the enclosed route *since Opalocka airport and it had some good and some bad as does everything.  Give it another chance.  Let's see how 2013 goes and take it from there.  Change doesn't happen in one shot but over a period of time.  The link to sign your name to the petition is HERE fee free to sign.  When you do, just make sure you know and understand all of the actions and reactions made by the changes you're requesting.