CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Aug. 15, 2008: The downturn in the U.S. economy has increased the cost of producing and joining a band in this  year`s West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn, NY, but some organizers say it hasn`t dampened enthusiasm for the annual Labor Day event.

They expect Carnival 2008  to be as exciting and jam-packed as ever.

`Every aspect of your endeavor where there`s a cost has increased significantly,` said Desmond Chase, chairman of the board of the band Hawks International. `Everything`s been impacted by the economic downturn.'

Chase predicts the economic environment will impact participation, but two fellow band organizers disagree.

`It`s our culture,` said Keith Bessor, leader of the band South Central Boyz. `We`re struggling, but we`re still going to make it happen.`

Bessor said this year it is especially hard to woo sponsors, a usually difficult enterprise. He`ll have to swallow losses, he said, because he refused to risk turning off customers by raising the price of his costumes.

Rheba Escalera, who`s in charge of marketing and sponsorship for the band Borokeete International Inc., said it`s important for the future of the event that the Carnival draws its usual impressive masquerader numbers and creative display.

The Labor Day event reminds people, Escalera said, that `the West Indian community is an economic powerhouse.`

Also, Escalera added, a competitive spirit can trump economic concerns.

`Most likely we`ll be spending more money this year,` she said of Borokeete. `We want the band to look better. Last year, we placed second so we`re coming back with a vengeance and a little bit of an attitude. We want to regain first place.`

The average cost of the band`s costume has increased slightly, in line with the higher cost of mas materials and, because of rising gas prices, transportation, Escalera said.

She nevertheless expects participation to equal or exceed last year`s 1,200 band members. She credits innovative marketing and sponsorship-collecting strategies for cushioning the blow of a rough economy.

This year the furniture store, Courts Caribbean, will sponsor one of the band`s 13 sections, paying for a music truck and costumes, which will be given away.

The band has taken on more `soft` sponsorship, which comes in the form of goods and radio promos instead of cash. They`ve worked more aggressively to promote the band on radio and television and at events.

Escalera said they`re also working with customers who may have problems paying full price for a costume, by adjusting the costume to suit a particular price.

The annual West Indian Day Carnival in Brooklyn is set for September 1 on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn – BY E.P. Andrews/CWN