~ A celebration for residents and visitors alike! ~
First time you are joining us for our beloved Carnival celebrations? Great! You will want to come back year after year. Colourful parades, concerts by international performers, musical and beauty competitions, lots of fun and friendly people – our Carnival has a long list of events you will not want to miss.
This Friday, April 1, the Around the Town Jump-up will start and end at Cactus Diner in Sucker Garden where the second TelCell Road to Carnival Party will be held. Jump-ups are fun and really capture the enthusiasm of residents for Carnival. Large trucks will play music and sometimes provide drinks.
Remember to park your car safely, and if you bring your phone, tuck it away properly. Wear comfortable shoes because there will be a lot of walking, marching and dancing going on! A bit of money also comes in handy to buy drinks or snacks along the road.
There will be another Jump-up on Friday, April 8, but the largest and most popular called Jouvert will happen on April 27 at 4:00 in the morning. Funky, funny costumes are also accepted at this celebration. Beware you will be splashed by water, paint and confetti!
Carnival Village located on Pond Island, next to University of St. Martin, will officially be opened on Thursday, April 14. If you want a taste of some real island food and music, it is a great place to head for lunch and/or the many events that will be held there.
Events include pageants and seven exciting concerts featuring more than 30 international performers, unmatched anywhere in the Caribbean. For each of these events often pre-sold, tickets are cheaper than at the door. So try and get your tickets quickly. People also love to dress up during these events, so dress to impress as well!
As a first-time visitor, a must-see is definitely the grand parade on Saturday, April 30, where hundreds of persons in gorgeous feathers and bedazzled costumes will take to the streets of Philipsburg to celebrate life! Another interesting cultural event is the closing of Carnival where “King Momo”, who represents the spirit of Carnival, will be burnt, to signify the end of the Carnival season – a way to literally burn up all the crazy fun and excess of Carnival in preparation for the discipline of Lent.
Some tips: Wear sunscreen during day events, bring a bit of cash and always put your valuables in a safe place, park your car in an easily accessible and legal parking area, wear comfortable shoes to walk and dance in, try some food at Carnival Village, drink responsibly and have fun revelling!
For emergencies, look for the nearest officer on duty, call the Police Department at 911 or 542-2222, or contact Ambulance Services at 912 or 542-2111. There are so many events to participate in and enjoy. Ask your hotel for more information or check out the events calendar on http://eventscalendar.caribseek.com/4690-st-maarten-Carnival-2016-sint-maarten-Carnival or https://www.facebook.com/sxmCarnival.
