St George’s Carnival committee launches 2018 activities today

THE ST GEORGES’ Carnival Committee launches their 2018 Carnival activities today, Friday, April 27, from 8 p.m., at the Calliaqua Hard Court.

The launch will see the first appearance of the five 2018 Miss St. Georges’ Carnival Queen contestants and performances by Epic Steel Orchestra, Rondy “Luta” McIntosh and the Soca Dans, among others. Music will also be provided by several local DJs, with a topclass sound set-up provided by Third Element Sounds.

The East St George and the West St George Carnival committees merged six years ago, but this is the 17th year that Carnival activities are being held in the communities.

“We have a packed program and patrons will get a taste of what will happen for the queen of calypso and soca shows,” chairman of the St. Georges’ Carnival Committee Foster Hannibal told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday.

He added that the launch is a partnership between the committee and the Upstate Experience Calypso Tent.

The tent is also using the opportunity to launch their 2018 calypso season.

Activities for this year’s St Georges’ Carnival include the Miss St George pageant (Miss Calliaqua Britney Oliver is the reigning Miss St George. She won in 2016 and there was no pageant last year) and the soca and calypso show on Friday, May 25, at the ET Joshua Airport tarmac and the J’Ouvert and Street Jump-up on Saturday, May 26.

The J’Ouvert celebrations will start in the area of the Arnos Vale Playing Field and end at the Calliaqua Playing Field, while the street jumpup will begin at Huffles Ranch and end at the Calliaqua Playing Field.

On Sunday, May 27, a Kiddies’ Carnival will take place in the streets in and around Calliaqua.

Hannibal said that persons should come out and support the events, as a lot of activities are in place, while emphasis has been placed on security.

“We have already liaised with police officers and security will be tightened and with the queen show parking will not be a problem.

Measures have been put in place,” said Hannibal.

FOSTER HANNIBAL