Preparations for the 2025 edition of the annual Whit-weekend festivities in Barbuda – Caribana – are moving into high gear with the event now less than a week away.
The Caribana Coordinator, Matthew John, said his team is working feverishly to complete the preparations in time for the opening parade slated for Thursday June 5. “We have a contingent of 25 persons from the Festivals Office which is coming to participate in our opening parade. Additionally, we have the Point Iron Band along with local revelers who are planning to combine the opening with a t-short mas,” John explained.
Two of the shows long associated with Caribana- the Teen Pageant and the Miss Caribana show – will not take place this year due to a lack of interest by young women in Barbuda. “We even tried to do a pageant with three girls from Barbuda and invite three from Antigua to participate, but the response from the Barbudans was not positive,” he remarked.
Nonetheless, the Caribana committee has a programme of activities from June 5 – 9 which will provide entertainment for locals as well as the scores of Antiguans expected to journey to Barbuda for Caribana.
Thursday June 5:
- Opening Parade 4:00 pm
- Opening Ceremony 6:30 pm
- State Insurance Junior Calypso Monarch 8:00 pm
Friday June 6:
- Caribbean Cultural Show (featuring Claudette Peters) 8:00 pm
Saturday June 7:
- Johnny Desouza Fishing Tournament at River Dock 8:00 am
- International Beach Bash International Night 8:00 pm at River Dock
Sunday June 8:
- Classic Horse Racing at Coronation Park 12:00 noon
- Barbuda Council Calypso/Soca Monarch competition 8:30 pm at Caribana City
Monday Jun 9:
- Jouvert 4:00 am to 10:00 am at Caribana City
- Last Lap 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Caribana City
John identifies the main sponsors for the event as the Barbuda Council, State Insurance Company, PLH Development, Nobu Restaurant and KB Supplies. Other Barbuda entities have also contributed to the festivities.
