The stage is set for tonight, when 10 beauties will take the stage at Victoria Park, vying for the prestigious title of Miss Carival.{{more}}

At a “meet the media” session at Young Island on Tuesday morning, the young ladies, some with vast pageant experience, said they are ready to give Vincentians a treat.

The contestants are Miss Antigua and Barbuda Raynel Carrol; Miss Barbados Zhane Padmore; Miss Dominica Francine Baron; Miss Guyana Kiswana Jefford; Miss Jamaica Danielle Black; Miss Martinique Alexandra Chastel; Miss St Kitts and Nevis Kaeve Armstrong; Miss St Lucia Amy Stephen, Miss Venezuela Genesis Valera Seijas and Miss St Vincent and the Grenadines Shadeisha George.

Before their day got into full gear on Tuesday, the contestants ate a sumptious breakfast, which was followed by a briefing, sashing, exchange of gifts among contestants and presentation of gift baskets by the Beauty Shows Committee.

After speaking briefly with members of the media, the delegates, clad in beautiful outfits, put on their best poses for a mini photo shoot.

Speaking at the event, head of the Beauty Shows Committee Cheryl Rodriguez said she is quite confident that there will be an excellent staging of the show tonight.

“All is well in place for Miss Carival 2014. We expect that everyone will head to the Victoria Park on Friday night (tonight) to see the young women in action,” Rodriguez said.

“We ran through the show already. All the guests and featured acts have rehearsed already with Vikings band. We are just ready for show time,” Rodriguez said.

Describing the this year’s batch of contestants as “excellent,” Rodriguez said the women are already crowned queens in their respective countries, which would make performing on stage relatively easy.

“They are already used to the stage. We taught them a routine for the introductory wear and within no time, they got it. They are so used to the stage. It is really easy going,” she added.

Rodriguez told the media that she finds it easier to prepare for the Miss Carival pageant than Miss SVG.

“With Miss SVG, you have to teach them how to walk, to speak, stand, sit, time management and a lot of other things. These girls are confident young women who would have gone through several pageants in their own countries and regional pageants. Miss Carival is just the most elite in the Caribbean that they are attending,” Rodriguez said.

The winner of Miss Carival will receive US$4,300; the 1st runner-up US $1,300 and the 2nd runner-up US $700. All contestants will receive gifts from the business houses in SVG.

Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation Dennis Ambrose was on hand to share brief remarks.

Ambrose urged the delegates to enjoy St Vincent and the Grenadines and to consider returning in the near future.

“I hope the spirit of competition will prevail and I wish you all the best.

Miss Carival 2013, Miss Dominica Leslassa Armour-Shillingford, also shared brief remarks at the function.(KW)