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Today, Djakout, of North
Lauderdale, plans to drape her car in Haiti's
red-and-blue banner for the trip to Miami's eighth
annual Haitian Compas Festival at Bicentennial Park, the
highlight of the fun-filled cultural celebration for
many Haitians."This means more to Haitians than
Christmas," said Djakout, 21. "Whether you're
illegal, a resident or citizen, everybody comes out that
day. They're not worried about anything. They just want
to get out there and have fun."
Fort Lauderdale · For Edna Djakout, figuring out how to
celebrate the Haitian flag is a no-brainer: party
nonstop. |
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Since Thursday, she has watched a Flag Day parade, met
friends from Naples, the Bahamas and Canada, and
attended a few live music parties, or bal in
Creole.
Today, Djakout, of North Lauderdale, plans to drape
her car in Haiti's red-and-blue banner for the trip to
Miami's eighth annual Haitian Compas Festival at
Bicentennial Park, the highlight of the fun-filled
cultural celebration for many Haitians.
"This means more to Haitians than
Christmas," said Djakout, 21. "Whether
you're illegal, a resident or citizen, everybody comes
out that day. They're not worried about anything. They
just want to get out there and have fun."
Held each year about May 18, the Haitian national
holiday celebrates Haiti's independence from France
two centuries ago The music festival drew more than
20,000 people in 2005, spokeswoman Mia Lopez said.
Capping a week of cultural presentations, lectures and
art exhibits from Miami to Immokalee, the daylong
festival brings together Haitian music, dance, cuisine
and people.
Folks from around the United States, the Caribbean and
Canada start filling up the downtown park at 2 p.m.
They dance to the syncopated beats of konpa --
a hybrid of indigenous Haitian rhythms, French and
other influences. Revelers snack on Haitian foods and
sing along with their favorite bands until about
midnight.
"It's not just the music," Lopez said of the
event organized by Noel and Cecibon Productions, based
in Miami. "A lot of people use our festival as a
means to promote their pride and, of course, love of
their country."
With Haiti's new government in place, the region's
250,000 Haitians seem more ready to celebrate than
they were last year, when kidnappings and political
unrest in Haiti marred the day. A slight pall has
fallen on undocumented residents, however, because of
raids by immigration authorities.
"They're afraid to go out," said Eddy
"Mix" Alex, 28, a Fort Lauderdale party
promoter. "They'll be celebrating at home."
But festive signs are clearly visible in the streets
of Haitian enclaves throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and
Palm Beach counties. Cars with billowing red and blue
cloth zooming down highways, youngsters dressed in
blue, red and white jerseys and "100 percent
Haitian" T-shirts are among the common sights.
Today, families will scramble to make it to Bayfront
Park. Procrastinators will crowd shops like Jacsaint's
Tailor Fashion Shop in Wilton Manors to pick up denim
and cotton outfits stitched with the flag.
Owner Alcide Jacsaint has been working late into the
night, putting the final touches on must-have attire
for local youngsters.
"They love waiting until the last minute,"
Jacsaint, 53, said. "I have to dress them all and
send them off."
Rebecca Michel, 17, a Dillard High School student who
ordered two outfits, was all smiles.
"I want to represent where I come from and show
people my heritage," Michel said.
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