Official Press Release Re Grenada, Carriacoun & Petite Martinique Day 2026
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grenada Cultural Festival Group, Inc. (GCFG Inc.)
Brooklyn, New York — Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Michael T. Vincent
President
Grenada Cultural Festival Group, Inc.
GCFG Inc. Addresses Early Termination of Grenada Day 2026, Apologizes to the Community and Reaffirms Commitment to Cultural Preservation
The Grenada Cultural Festival Group, Inc. (GCFG Inc.) convened an emergency post-event review following the premature termination of the annual Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique Day celebration held at South Shore High School on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
The event was brought to an early conclusion following safety and crowd-management concerns raised by School Safety personnel. GCFG Inc. recognizes that several factors contributed to the challenges experienced that afternoon and believes that a full and fair review involving all relevant parties is necessary to establish a complete understanding of what occurred.
GCFG Inc. also recognizes that certain aspects of its own event operations can be strengthened. Delays associated with the school safety implemented security screening process were compounded by inadequate staffing at the ticketing and entry point. These staffing challenges did not help congestion at the entrance. Staffing levels on-site ticketing and admission procedures will be reviewed and enhanced to better accommodate periods of peak attendance to support the efficient movements of patrons into the venue.
This year's celebration was relocated after the New York City Department of Education advised GCFG Inc. that our traditional venue, the Old Boys & Girls High School field on Rutland Road, was unavailable because of ongoing renovations. Faced with either finding an alternative location or canceling the celebration, GCFG Inc. submitted applications for several potential venues throughout Brooklyn.
South Shore High School ultimately became available, with the required venue permits being finalized approximately two weeks before the event. In the period leading up to Grenada Day, GCFG Inc. participated in discussions with school representatives, School Safety personnel, and representatives of the NYPD's 69th Precinct concerning security, crowd management, access, traffic control, and other operational matters.
Based on those discussions, GCFG Inc. entered the event with the understanding that necessary logistical arrangements would be coordinated among the respective parties.
Among the matters discussed was GCFG Inc.'s request for and expectstion of additional points of entry to assist with crowd flow. These requests were not approved, and GCFG Inc. was advised on the day of the event that operational and equipment considerations affected the ability to establish the additional entrance. GCFG Inc. intends to seek further clarification regarding this issue during its upcoming discussions with the relevant agencies.
GCFG Inc. had also communicated that, based on the event's 18-year history, substantially increased attendance could be expected during the peak afternoon period, particularly between approximately 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
As attendance increased, equipment, entry-processing, traffic-control, staffing, and crowd-management challenges developed. GCFG Inc. believes that some arrangements discussed before the event were not implemented as discussed or did not operate as effectively as expected. These matters, including the placement of barricades, parking restrictions, entry procedures, security equipment, and access for event organizers, will be among the issues for further review.
Several GCFG Inc. members also reported experiencing difficulties gaining reentry to the venue and communicating with school safety while attempting to perform their assigned operational responsibilities. We recognize that security personnel were simultaneously attempting to respond to evolving safety concerns, however there were some gaps in process that effected a smooth relationship between security and our organizing team. Nevertheless, GCFG Inc. believes that clearer procedures for identifying and facilitating authorized event personnel should have been established in advance.
These observations reflect GCFG Inc.'s current understanding based on information available to us following the event. We recognize that other agencies and individuals may have additional information or perspectives, and we welcome a comprehensive review of the circumstances.
A meeting involving representatives of GCFG Inc., the Office of New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, and representatives of the NYPD is expected to take place on Friday at 1:00 PM. GCFG Inc. intends to approach that meeting constructively, seeking clarification, accountability where appropriate, and practical solutions to prevent a recurrence at future community events.
Most importantly, GCFG Inc. extends its sincere apology to every patron, vendor, performer, sponsor, invited guest, volunteer, and supporter who was affected by the premature conclusion of Grenada Day 2026.
We recognize the disappointment, inconvenience, financial impact, and frustration experienced by members of our community. Regardless of the circumstances that contributed to the event's termination, GCFG Inc. accepts its responsibility as the organizing body to carefully examine what occurred, identify areas requiring improvement, and take meaningful corrective action.
We are especially mindful of the impact on our vendors, particularly our food vendors, many of whom invested significant time, resources, supplies, labor, and preparation in anticipation of serving the large crowd expected at Grenada Day. GCFG Inc. recognizes that the early termination of the event may have resulted in substantial losses for some vendors.
GCFG Inc. will therefore convene a meeting with all participating vendors, with particular attention to food vendors, to hear their concerns, assess the impact of the event's early termination, and explore reasonable measures in response.
We are especially grateful to the patrons, vendors, performers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who have stood with Grenada Day throughout its 18-year history. Your loyalty and commitment have allowed this celebration to become an important expression of Grenadian culture and identity within the diaspora.
Following extensive discussion, GCFG Inc. has determined that patrons who purchased tickets for Grenada Day 2026 will receive special arrangements to accommodate them at next year's Grenada Day celebration. Details concerning these arrangements, including the process for eligible ticket holders, will be communicated as planning progresses. GCFG Inc. appreciates the community's patience and understanding as these arrangements are finalized.
GCFG Inc. remains committed to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique and to advancing cultural education, community engagement, and development throughout the diaspora and our tri-island homeland.
The organization will also undertake a comprehensive review of its internal operations. Planning for the next Grenada Day will include expanded recruitment of volunteers and members, improved advance ticketing and admission systems, clearer command and communication structures, enhanced emergency and crowd-management planning, and more engagement of qualified and vetted professional personnel where necessary to support event operations, logistics, security coordination, and crowd management.
GCFG Inc. invites members of the community with experience in event management, public safety coordination, logistics, cultural programming, communications, volunteer management, and community engagement to become involved in this important work.
The lessons of Grenada Day 2026 will guide us as we strengthen the organization and improve the planning and execution of future events.
Our commitment remains unchanged: to celebrate Grenadian culture, strengthen unity throughout the diaspora, and provide a safe, welcoming, professionally managed environment in which the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique can proudly celebrate their heritage.
GCFG Inc. looks forward to working constructively with community stakeholders and relevant agencies as we move forward.
Contact:
Grenada Cultural Festival Group, Inc. (GCFG Inc.)
Grenadaday.festival.bkny@gmail.com
GCFGNEWYORK.COM
347-623-9381
646-641-9389
917-846-9843