Music, dancing and Caribbean pride were on display in Crown Heights Saturday, part of the weekend-long celebration leading up to the West Indian American Day Carnival Monday — but this day was for the children.

“This is a way to celebrate and enjoy all West Indians and any type of culture and helps to celebrate and appreciate where we’re from,” 11-year-old Taylor-Skye Hines said. “And show the world all our different types of styles and traditions.”

What You Need To Know

  • Children as young as three dressed up in elaborate costumes and danced through the streets of Crown Heights to celebrate Caribbean culture

  • The Brooklyn Children's Carnival is one of several events leading up to Monday when crowds will line Eastern Parkway to see elaborate floats, music, food and dancing

  • Other events this weekend include concerts and a steel drum competition

Kids got to dress up in elaborate costumes and march through the streets of Crown Heights in a miniature version of the main event.

“I guess it’s just a way to like express yourself with all the costumes and the dancing and its culture,” 14-year-old Anyla Blackett said. “And you can just make your own costumes, so I feel like that’s really cool.”

Even the smallest kids were in on the action, and when they arrived at the finish line behind the Brooklyn Museum — more food and fun.

“It is a fantastic event because it is done by children,” Cecile Ford, board secretary and chair of the Mas Committee of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, said. “It’s about how they portray their culture. They are from Caribbean descent, portraying our culture here in New York.”

The weekend of course culminates with the main event on Monday, where crowds will line Eastern Parkway to see elaborate floats, bands, costumes and food.