The Caribbean, or West Indian, carnival has been around in some form since the 1930’s, when it began as a costume party held in Harlem ballrooms. Since the 1960s and a move to Brooklyn, it’s become one of the city’s biggest outdoor festivals, famous for its colorful costumes, fabulous food and, of course, Caribbean music, mostly in the form of the Steel Pan Drum. More than a million people line Eastern Parkway to witness the grand spectacle. But for the people who put it together and participate in it, it’s about much more than a parade. It’s a celebration of Caribbean culture in a borough with the most Caribbean residents outside of, well, the Caribbean. Shyka Scotland of WIADCA joins us to talk about the rich tradition of the week-long festival that culminates in the big parade. For years it was plagued by problems with violence, but now it’s an event for families passing down their rich traditions. Scotland talks about the changes made by parade organizers and law enforcement to help keep everyone safe. And, of course, the soundtrack of the parade is the Steel Pan Drum, which dates back to the 1700s, brought to the islands by Africans who were enslaved. Ricardo Jerome talks about that history, about the importance of the steel pan to the parade and, later in the show, he’ll give us a live performance.