A colourful parade through the streets of St John’s and a tribute to the popular
Burning Flames band were among the highlights of the official opening of Antigua
Carnival 2023 on Thursday afternoon.
The members of the Burning Flames band, Antigua and Barbuda’s most successful
jam band – Toriano ‘Onyan’ Edwards, Clarence ‘Oungku’ Edwards, David
‘Crokus’ Edwards, and Rhone Watkins – were hailed as the musical ambassadors
of Antigua and Barbuda who made nationals proud, whenever they travelled and
heard their music playing in other countries.
Creative Industries Minister Daryll Matthew said it was the Burning Flames band
that set the tone for the carnival festivities, with their Jam Pond sessions followed
by weeklong dances at Lion’s Den.
During the opening exercises, Matthew presented keys to Carnival City to the
members of the band.
Earlier, Matthew welcomed the return of Carnival with a full programme,
following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the Festivals
Commission and the Ministry have been working tirelessly to ensure that the
events making up the Carnival programme 2023, are all of a high standard.
The reigning Queen of Carnival, Ischikelle Corbin welcomed all to Carnival City
and introduced the other contestants who competed in the pageant on Sunday
night.
The finalists for the calypso competitions both junior and senior together with the
finalist in the Party Monarch competition were also introduced on stage, as well as
the contestants taking part in the JCI Caribbean Queen show, slated for Monday
night.
The opening exercises were capped off with a colourful fireworks display and then
a performance by Burning Flames.
Antigua’s Carnival 2023 runs from July 27 to August 8.
