COVID-19 Update from

The Rochester West Indian Festival Organization:

2020 Carifest Cancelled

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

The Executive Board of the Rochester West Indian Festival Organization, in agreement with the City of Rochester, has decided that due to the continued developments concerning the spread of COVID-19, the severe public health threat and global health crisis, the RWIFO events held in June through August are cancelled. These events include Caribbean-American Heritage Month Activities (June), Vibes on the Lake (July), and the Carifest Festival and Parade (August 8).

In consultation with sponsors and other contributing parties, and in agreement with the current nationwide guidelines for social distancing, the crowds that attend the events present too great a risk of spreading the virus.  Our priority is the health and safety of our attendees; therefore, the only option is to cancel this year’s events.

Our mission for the past thirty-five years has been to promote Caribbean culture in the city of Rochester and its surrounding areas through workshops, our annual festival, and partnering with other community groups. Carifest is a one-day celebration that is a cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, and visual and performing arts.

This is a unique situation that has called for us to be apart physically, but together in spirit. We want to take this opportunity to thank every one of you for your continued support.

We look forward to providing quality events in 2021.

The Rochester West Indian Festival Organization, Inc.