Carnival Central
There’s a humming in the atmosphere so low it can only be heard by the truest of revellers. The sound is faintly reminiscent of Calypso horns and Soca drums. You can feel it give you goose bumps as it charges the air with electricity. Imagine the sensation of 15-foot speakers pumping heavy bass into your chest and throughout your body, finding your inner bacchanalist and pulling it out until you can’t control the wukup anymore.
For those who don’t know, that sound is the embodiment of this time of year on St. Maarten. There is no greater way to refer to this experience. Come on, say the name! “Carnival!” One of the greatest cultural experiences St. Maarten has to offer; the one pride and joy that are constantly held on to. The busy season has ended. Work shifts have changed and it’s time to let loose that pent up steam and off-load all of that money you made over the season.
Make the Carnival schedule the wallpaper for your desktop. Download St. Maarten Carnival App! There are no more “roads to” or “preparation” for… this is it. You were told to get your body ready mentally and physically. Hopefully, you listened, because after today, there is no rest for the weary, no sympathy for the weak. Carnival is going hard and it’s taking you with it. The village opens THIS WEEKEND!
Saturday, April 20, 8:00pm: Opening Jump Up – South Reward
We’ve been waiting for this since the Causeway Jump Up – the Jump Up that starts all Jump Ups! It’s the official opening Jump Up of the 2019 Carnival season! Kiss your responsibilities goodbye, turn your phones off and list yourself as “Unavailable due to Carnival.” Get ready to start jumping up at 8:00pm in front of Milton Peters College, after the South Reward Community Council has cut the first ribbon.
The route turns down L.B. Scott, onto Bush Road at Grand Marché. The jam session runs the entire Bush Road strip down to Pond Fill Road onto Soualiga Boulevard via the Salt Pickers Roundabout. The Village is a straight shot from there. The line-up includes the who’s who of St. Maarten’s Carnival sound, like DJ Mixmaster Pauly, DJ Soso, Royie Riddim, No Limit Band, Official Band, Xplosion Band, TG Band, Skillful Band, ZTB and Da Big Bad XP Band. Throw on a pair of shoes you don’t mind getting messed up and show your dedication!
11:00pm: Opening of Carnival Village – Carnival Village
This promises to be a night of symbolism, as they cut the final ribbon and Festival Village ceases to exist as Carnival Village again takes form. People pour into the Village looking for sustenance and it will officially be Carnival. Congrats, your year just went from 0 to 100 real quick. Check out the App to see where your favourite booths are located or discover new ones, as updated features have been added for your dining and drinking convenience. They say the closing time is 4:30am, but everyone who’s anyone knows the Village never really closes.
Sunday, April 21, at 12:00 noon: Easter Family Fun Day/Village Cook up
St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) will kick off the official part of the Carnival schedule with its Family Fun Day and Youth Extravaganza on Easter Sunday, April 21.
The foundation historically does not host events during the Easter weekend, but as the holidays and Carnival activities coincide this year, it was decided to host family oriented events. “So bring along a towel and a change of clothes for the children if you will be letting them participate in the wet rides,” said SCDF.
Entrance to the Family Fun Day, Village Cook Up and Youth Extravaganza is only US $5. The Family Fun Day activities will run until 6:00pm. Once patrons are in the Village for the Family Fun Day, they may stay to experience the Youth Extravaganza.
12:00 noon: Village Cook up
Various booth holders will cook selected dishes. The winning booth holder will get their booth free of charge for Carnival 2020. Judges will be lined up to partake in the food samples as the booth holders walk out to the centre of the Village with elaborate presentations.
7:00pm: Youth Extravaganza
It’s youth night, people; the one night in the Village when you don’t have to wonder if you can bring your kids – because it’s entirely dedicated to the young and young at heart. It’s still a great idea to come out and support the young artistes as they display the talent St. Maarten kids possess.
The line-up of performers will feature dancers, rappers, singers and five youth bands. “We are happy that Teen Times stuck to its tradition of placing all highlight and attention on St. Maarten’s young talent. They are the headliners. They only ask for support and we hope to see their peers and parents in attendance as well,” said SCDF.
Monday, April 22, at 8:00pm: Nagico Senior Calypso Finals
Come out and support your own! The knockout rounds are over, the gloves are off and the contestants are ready to duke it out. Join Protégé as he defends his title as Calypso Monarch against Empress Z, Mighty Pepper, The Mighty Chipman, The Pensioner, Keno Baly, King Rumer, Man George, The Mighty LT, Magic and Man George. Entrance for the night is $10.
Tuesday, April 23, at 8:00pm: Senior Carnival Queen Pageant
The lovely ladies to get to know for this year’s Senior Carnival Queen Pageant are Juli-Ann Richardson, Joanni Fuentes and D’Shnay York. If you couldn’t get enough of them in the Healthy Body Competition, you’ll love them in this pageant, because the swimsuits will be making a comeback, but different and bolder than ever! Nobody will blame you if you can’t contain your excitement. The entry fee is $25.
Tuesday, April 23, at 8:00pm: Miss Mature Carnival Queen Pageant
Miss Mature delegates Tracee Ettienne-Cornelius, Sharella Richardson, Anastatia Peters, Marilyn Arrindell and Esmelij Silvania are here to win! But which of these talented ladies will take home the coveted Miss Mature Carnival Queen crown? You don’t know? Nobody does! This segment is always the hottest in the St. Maarten Carnival Pageant roster and for a good reason! There are surprises planned and it’s guaranteed not to disappoint. The only way to find out first-hand what happens is to be there yourself. How much? Once you pay for the Senior Queen Pageant, it’s FREE!
Wednesday, April 25, 8:00pm: Soca Rumble Finals
Montage N.V. has announced the 20 finalists for the Soca Rumble Power and Groovy competition for Carnival 2019. The popular event will be held for the fifth year on Wednesday, April 24, in the Carnival Village. The Power and Groovy categories have 10 finalists each – 11 when you count the reigning monarch in each category who will have to defend his crown.
Organisers started from very early with the registration for the Soca Rumble, giving potential participants ample time to produce their songs. The show starts at 8:00pm and you should definitely be on time, since your favourite artiste could be starting very early in the night.
