Sheer excitement, festivity, and revelry enveloped the Third Bi-annual International/Homecoming Day 2025, on Saturday, Sept. 20, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Rosedale, Queens.
Event coordinator Trinidadian Monica Carrington, who holds a licensed master’s degree in social work (LMSW), told Caribbean Life that St. Peter’s invited friends, family, and dignitaries to savor the tastes, sounds, and colors of the parishioners’ 17 countries.
“Stands were decked out in the colors of the national flags with pride, highlighting native food, drink, and artifacts from the respective country,” she said.
“Invigorating soca and afrobeats dance music played by DJ Josa and a Trinidadian steel band enveloped the air, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.”
The parish, located in Southeast Queens, comprises members from several communities in Queens and surrounding areas, including nationals from Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, the Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Nigeria, Panama, the Philippines, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA.
“Members ensured that their respective cultures were on display and were overjoyed with the participation of the community, with over 500 attendees of all age groups,” Carrington said.
Lamarcia Parkin-Bascombe, a warden at St. Peter’s, said, “The Grenada food tent was a big success with people commenting on the ‘best oil down’ cou-cou and flying fish, lambie stew (conch) and sweet potato pudding”.
Carrington said each country displayed their national delicacies, including breadfruit cou-cou, pudding and souse from Barbados; roti and methem pepperpot from Guyana; kedjenou sauce, gbofloto and sauce feuille from the Ivory Coast; jerk pork, ackee and saltfish, ginger beer and sorrel from Jamaica; jellof rice and moi-moi from Nigeria; arroz con pollo from Panama; Filipino lechon and the hit ube ice-cream made with sweet potato from the Philippines; breadfruit casserole from St. Kitts & Nevis; blackfish, pelau, coconut dumplings and mauby from St. Vincent & the Grenadines; buss-up shut and curry chicken from Trinidad & Tobago; and fried chicken, mac & cheese and collard greens from the USA.
“A guest commented that the amount of food and entertainment served was worth more than the amount she paid for her ticket,” Carrington said.
She said the St. Peter’s Praise Dancers danced to several American songs, including “Boots on the Ground,” as well as to Archie “Killer” Miller from Barbados.
Carrington said Brooklyn-based Quake USA Cultural Org. Inc. “belted out soca songs from Barbados and Grenada.”
In addition, she said natives rendered folk songs from Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
Carrington said there were dances from Haiti and Nigeria, and a Zaouli masked dance of the Ivory Coast performed by Judi Alloko.
She said Panama and the Philippines presented their national dress.
Carrington said the entertainment program culminated with a “steel band carnival from Trinidad & Tobago with masqueraders in colorful costumes and a stilt Moko Jumbie dancer.”
“Another amazing event,” said Andrew Trotman. “I am proud to witness the extravagant event my fellow church members and organizers were able to pull off for the community. Bravo!”
Carrington said St. Peter’s International/Homecoming Day “has come to be a time where members return from their summer break renewed, refreshed, and energized to continue to take up the mantle of the work and ministry and to strive to build up the Kingdom of God in the community of Rosedale and surrounding communities. ”
“International/Homecoming Day is a time where parishioners can share their culture, culinary delights, and arts with the community and friends,” she added. “Families with smiling faces commented that the event brought back fond memories from their countries, as they enjoyed the delicious food and performances.
“The event has grown bigger and better over the years, with an increasing number of attendees,” Carrington continued. “St. Peter’s Rosedale looks forward to welcoming and seeing everyone again in 2027.”
