It can be considered Antigua and Barbuda’s first ‘big’ carnival since 2019 and a
welcomed return, with a packed programme of activities planned for Antigua
Carnival 2023.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancelation of the 2020 and 2021 festivals, and
when Carnival reappeared in 2022, it was with a reduced schedule of events. It is
now 2023 and the pandemic is a fixture in our rear-view mirrors, the fete season is
in full swing, and it is now time for the pageants.
The start of Pageants Weekend is Saturday 22 July with the 2023 Mr. and Miss
Teenage Pageant, which will feature 14 young people representing several
secondary schools across the country. This will be followed on Sunday night, July
23, by the Miss Queen of Carnival Pageant, dubbed – the Enchanted Seven,
featuring seven of Antigua and Barbuda’s finest young women who are vying for
the crown.
So far, the build-up to Antigua Carnival 2023 has been the fetes, with multiple
events taking place each weekend. Anticipation is also high as the finalists for the
Calypso Monarch and the Jumpy and Groovy Party Monarch competitions have all
been named.
The way is now clear for the focus to be on the Pageants and the Pageants alone!
Some have asked why both pageants were not included in the official programme
of events following the opening parade next Thursday. This was explained by
Festivals Minister Daryll Matthew who said the organisers wanted the winners to
participate in the opening parade having already been declared winners in both the
Teenage and the Miss Queen of Carnival pageants.
Furthermore, he said this will provide the Queen of Carnival additional time to
prepare for the JCI Caribbean Queen Show, slated for July 31 at Carnival City.
The Mr. and Miss Teenage Pageant is being sponsored this year, by the University
of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC), as the educational institution
seeks to broaden its outreach with the most critical group of people in the country,
young people nearing the end of their secondary education. The winner’s circle
will receive scholarships from UWI FIC. Happy Kids will also present the top
three males and top three females in the competition with laptops, and they will
also receive handsets from Inet.
The fourteen contestants have spent the last several weeks engaged in intense
preparation for the competition. The stage is set, the contestants are
ready…Saturday, July 22, 8:00 pm at Carnival City…It’s lights!!!…
Camera!!!…Action!!!
One night later, it will be time for the Enchanted Seven, the 2023 Queen of
Carnival delegates. The young ladies have had a busy schedule since their
unveiling and sponsorship tag at a function held at the Hodges Bay Club. Along
with preparations for their individual and group activities, the delegates
participated in a public speaking competition in June, that sought to help build
their self-confidence. Delegate # 2 Ms. Cool and Smooth, Jahkaydah Isaac,
emerged as the winner. The points from this competition do not cross over into
Sunday night’s pageant.
On Thursday night, the delegates and their respective entourages converged on
Carnival City for a full dress rehearsal. Organizers of the pageant, Marsh and
Marsh Productions, led by Brucella Marsh-Sutton have spared no effort in ensuring
that the show will be of a high quality.
The delegates are competing for some of the most attractive prices ever offered in
this competition. The winner will receive a cash prize of $25,000.00, the first
runner-up, $15,000.00, and the second runner-up $10,000.00. The top three
winners will also receive gift baskets from Loire Valley Fragrance store.
The Enchanted Seven will compete in interview, performing talent, swimwear,
costume, and evening wear segments.
So now…We Ready, We Ready, We Ready…we ready for de shows!!!……
