A West Indian carnival that caters to children brought out thousands of enthusiastic revelers Saturday to Crown Heights.

Many children wore colorful costumes as they danced the day away along Kingston Avenue at this year's Junior West Indian Carnival. Some of the youngsters are still in strollers, but parents say they want to get them started young.

"I think the whole thing is beautiful and I want her to have a good time," says Nishbell McNamee, whose child was at the carnival for the first time.

Although there are many prizes to be won, including band of the year, those who participated in the festivities say they look forward to the youth carnival mostly for the cultural experience.