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FILE-8/20/11 Springfield - The Springfield Caribbean Carnival began on State St. with a parade then to Blunt Park for the Carnival Aug. 20, 2011. Here, Justice Henry marches in full costume.

(Michael Beswick)

SPRINGFIELD — This year will mark the 15th anniversary of the Caribbean Carnival celebrated in Springfield with a parade and carnival at Blunt Park.

Although the event does not happen until the end of summer there will be a variety of activities leading up to the carnival including the annual Caribbean Carnival Scholarship Gala, organizers said.

The event, organized by the Caribbean American Cultural Center, includes an awards ceremony where high school scholarship winners will be announced.

If You Go

Event:

Caribbean Carnival Heritage Scholarship Gala

When:

May 21; Social hour at 6 p.m.; Dinner at 7 p.m..

Where:

Barney Carriage House in Forest Park, Springfield

Cost:

$50 per person

For more information:

Call (413)726-9006 or (413) 693-3343

Caribbean carnivals have been traced to about 1785 in Trinidad and Tobago after an influx of French settlers brought masquerade balls there. After slavery was abolished the freed Africans moved their own carnival celebrations to the streets; the celebrations changed through the years to reflect other immigrant cultures.

The event will feature Caribbean dishes and entertainment as well as door prizes and a raffle.