Media & Press

The Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) celebrated a record-breaking 14th annual Children’s Festival and Youth Pan Fest in Brooklyn on Saturday, Aug. 29, drawing more than 4,000 attendees to St. John’s Place in Crown Heights for the largest gathering in the festival’s history. 

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CLACC-C told Caribbean Life that 11 junior steel bands and 17 soloists across four age divisions took the stage, part of a tradition that has grown from just three bands when the festival began 14 years ago.

Yolanda Lezama-Clark, the president of the Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center, highlights the history and legacy of the West Indian American Day Parade — which was founded by her father.

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She discusses his role in bringing the parade to Eastern Parkway and its growth into a celebration of more than 3 million people.

The Brooklyn-based Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) says its 14th Annual Children’s Festival & Youth Pan Fest takes place this Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, 12–8 p.m., on St. John’s Place, between Brooklyn and Kingston Avenues in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

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CLACC-C said on Monday, Aug. 24, that what began 14 years ago, with three junior steel bands, has grown into “a movement this year.”

The Brooklyn-based Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) will host its Annual Youth Pan Fest next Saturday, Aug. 23, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Yolanda Lezama-Clark, the Trinidadian-born daughter of the late Carlos Lezama, after whom the center is named, told Caribbean Life on Wednesday, Aug. 13, that the festival will take place outside the landmark home of the late Caribbean-American U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisolm and Lezama, the pioneer and co-founder of Brooklyn’s legendary West-Indian Day Carnival.

Kids of all ages got the chance to show off their Caribbean pride in Crown Heights at the 12th annual Youth Pan Festival on Saturday.

The event featured traditional Caribbean and West Indian dancing, and of course, steel pan performers.

Yolanda Lezama-Clark shared her father's legacy in helping to create the West Indian American Day Parade Carnival and said it actually originated in Harlem before being moved to Brooklyn.

Brooklyn, NY - (Saturday, August 24, 2019) - The Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) will host its 9th annual Children's Festival and Youth Pan Fest, which showcases junior steel pan talent. The festival, which serves as a precursor to the Caribbean Labor Day weekend festivities, is held on the CLACC-C museum grounds at St. John's Place between Kingston & Brooklyn Avenues.

Brooklyn, NY - (Saturday, August 24, 2019) - The Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) will host its 9th annual Children's Festival and Youth Pan Fest, which showcases junior steel pan talent. The festival, which serves as a precursor to the Caribbean Labor Day weekend festivities, is held on the CLACC-C museum grounds at St. John's Place between Kingston & Brooklyn Avenues.