Many residents are disappointed that the Panorama competition will not be staged this year after a COVID-imposed absence of Carnival these past two years. However, a pan show is slated to replace the much-anticipated event.
On Wednesday, June 8, stakeholders and several experts from the Ministry of Creative Industries reportedly held discussions with the Cabinet and presented their programmes for the July 24 to August 2 festival.
Cabinet Notes report that the replacement pan show is expected to feature all the steel bands, which will perform on the Sunday night before Jou’vert at Carnival City.
“There will be pand’garden, pand’culture, pand’road, pand’mix, and the School Panorama,” this week’s Notes say.
Additionally, a special event to celebrate two ailing pannists –Victor “Babu” Samuel and Devon Batchelor – will also form part of the Carnival celebrations.
Meanwhile, the parade of troupes and groups will not cross the stage this year. It is expected that the Monday and Tuesday parades will travel up Factory Road to the Sir Vivian Richards Ground.
In the meantime, the dismantling of the historic Double Decker Stand is supposed to commence next week, since the food vendors who plied their trade beneath the stand for years have been relocated.
According to the Notes, preparations for Carnival City – including construction of the stage; cleaning of the stands and grounds; and lighting and security – will commence shortly.
Over on the sister-island, the just-concluded Caribana 2022 has been deemed a success. Reportedly, many Antiguans travelled to Barbuda to enjoy the festivities at Caribana City and on the beach, as well as horse races and a Calypso Melting Pot.
Antigua Carnival 2022: The Greatest Summer Festival In The Caribbean
History. Culture. Pulsating marching bands. Wet and wild fun. Lots of dancing. These are just some of the things you can expect from the famous Antigua Carnival in the Caribbean which has become a major tourist draw for this charming island in the West Indies. Its roots date back to August 1, 1834 when slavery was finally abolished in the country. Dancing in the streets became a yearly tradition and means of celebrating freedom, then in 1957 the first official Antigua Carnival was held.
The almost two-week long festival only continues to grow bigger and better each year, but it’s still retained its iconic elements: epic parades and revelry day and night, street parties, tangible excitement, and water being sprayed on everyone. This means you might not want to come in your best outfit because you should be prepared to get soaked in fun, Antigua Carnival style. Come in comfortable shoes because we aren’t joking when we say that the dancing goes on until the small hours of the morning!
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