Cumm Cross Production

Dynasty Production

D’ Midas International

D’ Horizons

Island Pride Inc.

Mudd Band

Mas Players

Soca & Associates

T&T Social Club

Unity Sports

This is some of the organizations responsible for the annual Trinidad style carnival (Boston Carnival). They came from the Caribbean, primarily from Trinidad and have been residing in Boston for several years.

If you are interested in volunteering to assemble costumes, play mas or sponsor a band, review the band’s profile and either contact the organization’s directly or get in touch with us.

During the month of August, Boston carnival is one of the largest cultural events taking place in the city and attracts several hundred thousand visitors each year since 1973. August is also designated Caribbean Week

Bandleader

The artisan (Bandleaders) as I prefer to call them are the men and women, the unknown heroes of Boston's Trinidad style carnival culture.

They literally start planning for the next seasons carnival as one ends. It is a process that involves some research in finding ideas and concepts to portray. It is often said that there will not be a carnival with out these artisans. There may be a parade, but not a Trinidad Style.

In 1973, the man to whom this web site is dedicated Ken Bonaparte Mitchell made is possible when he and a friend Ivy ponder an American did the impossible, they made it possible for there to be a carnival in the city of Boston today. They are the pillars, the foundation for which today these artisans are building the home that is now Boston's Trinidad Style Carnival. They are continuing the traditions and putting into place that which is necessary for the next generation of artisans.

The link to the individual bandleaders page can be found on every page in the left column (blue links). If you're are interested in sponsoring, volunteering your time or playing Mas with one of these band, you can contact them directly or Contact Us directly. listed there are the location of the camp, date and time of launching and hours when the camps ae open to the public. - Enjoy a taste of Trinidad the home of Steelband, Calypso, Limbo, Angostura Aromatic Bitters and so much more, here in beautiful Boston Michael C. Smith

Organizing Committee Past Presidents:

Ken Bonaparte Mitchell (Trinidad) 1973 - 1977
Sebastian Joseph (Trinidad) 1978 - 1990
Shirley Shillingford (Jamaica) 1991 - 1993
Clive Trail (Jamaica) 1994
Shirley Shillingford (Jamaica) 1995 - 2010

Source: Leonard Communication ©

Boston Carnival History

Boston Carnival was founded in 1973 by
• Ken Bonaparte Mitchell (Trinidadian)
• Ivy Ponder (American)

The first parade included the following:
• The parade left City Hall at 10:00am and headed down Tremont Street to Park Street about one mile.
• Red Joe from “21 Steel band” participated in the first carnival.
• 40 American students from a modeling agency located on Boylston & Tremont Streets participated in a band entitled “African Fantasy”
. Their costumes were designed and made by Ken Bonaparte Mitchell.

When members of the Caribbean community saw that the carnival parade took place. The following year, 1974 these people got involved:
• Carlton King - aka Trojan horse
• Kevin Griffith – Silver stars Steel Orchestra
• Frank Najim – DJ

In 1975, involvement grew and included individuals, such as Ansyl Niles (Trinidad) aka Mice and other Steel bands.

In 1976, some changes were made to the celebration-- they moved the parade from City Hall Plaza to Franklin Park and change the Association’s name from Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Development Committee to the Caribbean American Carnival Day Association. The renaming was done to include all people of the Caribbean. A new charter was also signed by Jerry Harewood (Barbados), Frank Thomas (St. Lucia) and Ken Bonaparte Mitchell (President). Fritz Felix (Haiti) who was also recruited in 1976 was very instrumental in the plans for continuation of the Carnival.

In 1977 or 1978 Ken Bonaparte Mitchell ran for State Representative Mass General Court district 15 Dorchester and turned over the operational aspects of Carnival to both Edward Harry and Sebastian Joseph.

Source: Ken Bonaparte Mitchell founder Boston Carnival 1941 - 2008