The 40th Annual West Indian-American Day Carnival was held along Eastern Parkway on Labor Day.

Revelers started showing up early to claim prime spots before the huge crowds arrived. The event is meant to celebrate West Indian culture and heritage.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and city Comptroller William Thompson Jr. are among the officials who took part in parade events.

The Eastern Parkway Carnival started in Harlem, but was moved to Brooklyn where it flourished. Organizers honored founder Carlos Lezama, who died this year.

Other people got a jump on the festivities with music, dance and food at a local J'ouvert parade early in the morning. "Seems like there's thousands more people," said J'ouvert reveler Rana Lewis. "It's more of a local experience. [Eastern] Parkway is more for tourists."

According to police, a 26-year-old reveler was shot twice in the leg while at the parade around 4 p.m. Three people were taken into custody for questioning, police said.

Related information:West Indian-American Day Carnival Association