The programme of events for annual Caribana festivities on the sister isle,
Barbuda, have been released with at least one new show added to the line-up.
Matthew John, who heads the Caribana 2024 Planning Committee, has announced
that the festival will run from May 16-20 in Codrington. It kicks off with an
opening parade in the afternoon on May 16 and then the Teenage Pageant in the
evening with seven contestants participating.
On Friday May 17, three contestants will compete in the inaugural Miss Caribana
Cultural Swinsuit Show where they will model three different swimwear outfits,
one of which must be locally made. This show replaces the Caribana Queen Show.
On Saturday May 18, all roads lead to River Dock where the Caribana Beach Day
activities will take place. These include an All Star show featuring a number of
Barbudan and Antiguan acts where the Original Burning Flames will headline. The
Johnny DeSouza Fishing tournament will take place on that day as well.
On Sunday May 19, the popular horse racing events will take place during the day,
to be followed later in the evening with the calypso/soca show. Seven calypsonians
will participate in the calypso segment of the show. Reigning Calypso Monarch,
Stabba, has not indicated whether or not she intends to defend her crown. The
reigning soca monarch, Yoko, is expected to be among 5 artists competing in this
segment.
Meanwhile, PLH development has come forward to sponsor Caribana ‘in a big
way’, according to John. He did not provide a dollar amount but he indicated that
the PLH sponsorship will cover the main items such as the light and sound systems
for the entire Caribana.
The jouvert (May 20) will be sponsored by Nubu Restaurant. John said other
sponsorship has been secured from several of the businesses that operate on the
island.
In more Caribana developments, the Cabinet has made a decision that will help
resolve one of the major hurdles affecting Barbuda’s Caribana, the movement of
people between the two islands.
Cabinet sources say, pending approval from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation
Authority (ECCAA), the new airline, LIAT 2020 will be asked to help take
revelers to Codrington for Caribana ‘at a very low cost’. If permitted, the planes
will use the new airport on the outskirts of Codrington as the one in the centre of
town is not able to accommodate the new aircraft.
