Rural Carnival in high gear

As the rural carnival activities here on the mainland get into full gear, a number of Grenadine islands are preparing to swing into action as early as next week.{{more}}

After years of inactivity, the carnival spirit will take hold of Union Island once again, with events scheduled for June 19th, to 21st, at various venues.

On Friday 19th, the Union Island Carnival Development Committee organized festival will begin with a Carnival Extravaganza at the Ashton Hard Court, which features a Miss African Princess Pageant, African drumming, a soca monarch competition and pan.

The activity is scheduled to go into Saturday morning, when the J’Ouvert takes place. At 1 pm there will be an ole mas and costume parade and jump up from Ashton to Clifton. Then on Sunday, the activities climax at the Big Sand Beach with a beach party, DJ clash and prize giving ceremony.

On the island of Bequia, carnival activities will take the form of a grand launching under the almond tree in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening.

On Saturday evening, the festival continues with a wet fete at the Clive Tannis Playing Field Hard Court.

Sunday’s programme includes a queen show and ex-tempo calypso competition also at the Clive Tannis Playing Field, while on Monday there will be a J’Ouvert jump up in the morning followed by the street party and t-shirt band parade in the afternoon.

Meanwhile here on the mainland, the carnival festivities continue this weekend with action in East St George and P’tani.

A queen show, soca monarch and calypso competition are on the East St George carnival programme for Friday at the Calliaqua Hard court, while on Saturday revelers will be involved in J’Ouvert and jump up, followed by over 100 youngsters taking part in the Junior Carnival on Sunday.

The costumes are being provided by the FirstCaribbean WE FM Singer Lynx, while some of the major guest artistes include the LIME Vincy Soca Dans, Shaunelle Mackenzie, Bomani and Maddzart and the Madd Symphony.

The P’tani mas continues this weekend with the Miss Marriaqua pageant on Saturday. This takes place at the La Croix Boxing Plant, and will also feature some top soca artistes.

Coordinator of rural carnival Ezzie Roberts, speaking at a CDC press conference indicated that the rural events have so far come off without any major hiccups, and indicated that a Miss Rural SVG Pageant is in the works; this will take place in Canouan on a date to be announced.(JJ)