ANTIGUA CARNIVAL

In 2016, The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival, Antigua’s Carnival, will be celebrating another milestone by hosting the 60th edition of the summer festival.

The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, alongside Minister of Sports, Culture and National Festivals, the Hon. E.P Chet Greene, had the opportunity to visit New York for the annual Labour Day celebrations held in New York.

During the visit, the Minister in conjunction with the Chairman of the ABFC, Cliff Williams; Antigua’s top soca artistes, and an all star band, comprising of members from various Bands in Antigua, met with the diaspora at a Cocktail event held at the Antigua House in Harlem, New York.

Minister, Hon. E.P Chet Greene, said he was astonished at the support that the delegation received from the diaspora, and would love to see the same as we journey to the 60th Carnival Celebration in 2016, and the bigger celebration in 2017 with the staging of the 60th Anniversary of Antigua’ Carnival. He added that the 2016 Carnival celebration will be a lead up to 2017, and it is only fit for us to elevate the momentum, and enjoy the “Greatness” that is about to unfold over the next 2 years.

Chairman of the ABFC, Cliff Williams, shared the same sentiments, and took the opportunity to roll out the schedule of events for Antigua’s Carnival 2016 while continuously emphasizing on the importance of the three 2’s. He stated, “For Antigua’s Carnival 2016, all you have to do is remember the three 2’s. Antigua’s Carnival will start on the 22nd of July and will last for twelve consecutive days until the 2nd of August”. He declared that although changes were made to the lineup for this year, this simply permits us to have a greater time in a more festive environment for the upcoming years.

The soca artistes that were included in the delegation also had the opportunity to perform at what has become a premier event during the Labour Day weekend with thousands of spectators, “Antigua Splashdown” also known as ‘Antigua Day’.    

Antiguan Soca Artistes such as 2015 Jumpy Monarch - Ricardo Drue; 2015 Groovy Monarch - Claudette “CP” Peters; Tian Winter, Lincoln “Blade” Stanislaus, Laurena Davis, Kenne Blessin, Esron “Rattigan” Edwards, Dennis “Menace” Roberts, Danskie, Supa Mario, King Sonic, and Sir Rupert “Swallow” Philo took it to the stage at the 10th Antigua Splashdown held at the Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, New York.

The performances were simply phenomenal as Antiguan and Barbudan flags were unleashed in true patriotic abundance. Those who missed Antigua’s Carnival 2015 had the chance of getting a taste at the park through the performances, and were promised greater things for Antigua’s Carnival 2016.

At the end of the performances, when everyone thought the show would have been over, a unexpected rendition, where all the artistes returned on stage, and sang in unison the 2015 Road March winner, “Old Time Something by Boaster”. This was undeniably a highlight for many of the spectators who began moving and grooving to the words of the 2015 Carnival hit song.

The team from the ABFC used this trip as an avenue to promote and develop significant awareness of the upcoming 60th Celebration of Antigua’s Carnival to be held next year. Thousands of Antiguans and Barbudans, as well as other Caribbean brothers and sisters, were treated with Antigua Carnival paraphernalia, which included Carnival bags, flyers, samples of English Harbour 5 year old and Cavelier rum, Antigua & Barbuda Magazines, Bottles, Testimonials, Mas In Antigua (MIA) Magazines, T-shirts, and Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Brochures.

At the end of the night, three lucky persons emerged as winners in the 60th Carnival raffle. The first place winner received an airline ticket for one to Antigua for the 60th Carnival and the second and third place prizes both included a carnival costume for one.

The support of the Antiguans & Barbudans, as well as other Caribbean brothers and sisters, living in New York and neighbouring states was exceptionally overwhelming. The ABFC would also like to say a special thank you to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Ms Tyra Mason and her team for overseeing and facilitating the promotional efforts, the diaspora, The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Premier Beverages, MYST Carnival, Takumi Media, and everyone who played an integral part in assisting with the promotion of Antigua’s 60th Carnival in New York.