Entertainment

Carnival Must Haves

Carnival Must Haves

The Jamaica Carnival Season offers a lively, vibrant and colourful set of events, due to the renaissance or rebirth of interest generated over the last 2 years. More players have entered the game breaking the monopoly that Bacchanal Jamaica held for so long since Jamaica Carnival took a hiatus in 2008, following the passing of its founder, Byron Lee. Four separate, independent bands…Xaymaca International, Xodus Carnival, Bacchanal Jamaica and the re-invented Jamaica Carnival…bring a plethora of costumes, more fetes, more lymes, more vibes, re-igniting a spirit that many said had started to become staid and unexciting.

Carnival Must Haves
Photo: 84 Designs

The season runs from March 31 to April 9 and has enough to excite from the most sedate, back-of-the-room carnival observer to the most frenetic socaphile alive, culminating in the Road March on April 8.

There are certain things that have to be put in place if you plan to be an active participant in this year’s activities, certain decisions that have to be made. Which fetes to go to and how to go about getting the passes or tickets; each band has its own website which will guide you to their respective parties or fetes and tell you how to get tickets. They will also guide you in the purchasing of costumes if you decide to chip dung di road on Road March Sunday. Costume packages vary but usually include costume, drinks on the road, lunch and often a little goodie bag with a mug, wave rag and other little treats. Many other websites can help you to plan your movements, map your route so that your last party takes you close enough to work, so you can stroll right into your desk afterwards…keep fresh clothes in your car. Paint spattered shorts and glitter in your ear may not sit well with the boss.

Carnival Must Haves
Carnival Makeup & Accessories  Checked Photo: 84 Designs

Globalcarnivalist.com lists…not counting the Road March…36 parties and fetes by date, location and time to make it easier for you. If you decide to go all the way with your Carnival experience and tackle the Road March on April 8, there are a few things to consider, such as which band you want to join, which costume you want to wear and if you want to be a ‘backliner’ or ‘frontliner’.

To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #7  March-April 2018