Carnival in Antigua recognized as ‘The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival’ is one of the finest fêtes in the West Indies. Highly praised for its vibrant, unique events and the tourism that it attracts, Antigua’s carnival celebrates the emancipation of its people through pageantry, dance, mas and music. This year, the festival was held from July 25 to August 4, in addition to several preliminary and finale events.

             

            The 10-day festival launched with the opening of carnival city during which troupes and bands paraded through the streets of the city of Saint Johns. Also known as “T-shirt Mas,” the participating mas troupes and companies wore t-shirts representing their respective groups. The parade concluded at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) where many of the festival’s competitions and shows take place.

           

            Other festival events that took place over the course of the week are the Lime Junior Carnival, ABI Queen of Carnival Competition, Jaycees Caribbean Queen Show, Wadadli Beer Calypso Monarch Competition, State Insurance Junior Calypso Competition, Lime Party Monarch Competition, Antigua Commercial Bank Panorama Competition and Teen Splash.

 

            Unique to Antigua’s carnival was the Liat Caribbean Melting Pot during which a medley of artists performed at the ARG, including WCK out of Dominica, Kevin Lyttle of Saint Vincent, Demarco from Jamaica, Shurwayne Winchester of Trinidad and Tobago and several Antiguan artists such as Tizzy, Lion King, and Tonik Band. Many of the Caribbean’s best musicians and spectators gathered together for a night of sweet music and excitement topped off with great food and drinks.

 

            A popular outdoor venue for Carnival events this and every year was the Lions Den, hosted by the Lions Club of Antigua. Accommodating thousands, Lions was home to Antiguan band, Red Hot Flames, who performed their past and present hits for most of the nights during Carnival. Through the night and until sunrise, people packed the spot, craving more music and jamming until band leader, Oungku, uttered his infamous words, “We gotta go now!”

 

Similar to the Lions Den, but unique in its performances and themed nights is newly established The City, another outdoor venue. The legendary band, Burning Flames, performed for several nights there. In addition to the Flames’ Soca jams, The City featured 6 nights of 'Dancehall Vibes in the City.'

           

             The final two-day jump up began with the J’ouvert celebration, which commenced just before dawn and lasted until about 10AM. It consisted of several bands, band followers, and troupes partying and dancing in the streets. Participants and spectators alike hit the road for an early morning jam, expecting to be covered in paint, powder, oil, mud or any other substance used in the traditional street jam. Later on in the day, the Judging of the Troupes took place at the ARG.

 

During Last Lap, revelers packed the streets of Saint Johns for one last jump up to celebrate the ending of carnival. Road March champions, Oungku and the Red Hot Flames paraded through the streets with hundreds of followers in jubilation at the victory. Their hit song ‘Trademark,’ also known as ‘Stop the Cryin,’ was played 57 times in total on the road, earning the group the title for this year’s Road March. First runner up was 2009 Soca Monarch two-title champion Tian Winter with his hit ‘Soca Rebels,’ played 17 times, and second runner-up was Taxik featuring Claudette Peters with ‘Fly Away,’ played 13 times on the road.

           

            After the fête, it is safe to say that the joy and legacy behind Antigua’s Carnival still reigns. With each year comes a new, unique vibe, and this year was no different. Overall, the festival was incredibly successful and enjoyable, leaving behind much anticipation for next year’s events.

 

            For 2009 Antigua carnival results and to read more about “The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival,” visit www.antiguacarnival.com.