St. Maarten Celebrates Annual Carnival

02-29-2008

 

Celebration to Take Place April 17^th – May 3^rd

 

Philipsburg, St. Maarten, February 28, 2008 - Every year in April, St. Maarten brings out the music, dancing in the streets, fun and pageantry for the island’s Carnival celebration.  The annual affair, which features festivities like Jump-Up Parades, calypso competitions, beauty pageants and the annual “Jouvert” celebration are the hottest events on the island’s calendar. 

 

St. Maarten’s annual Carnival is a two-week celebration that encompasses the island’s unique cultural traditions and allows visitors and residents alike to parade alongside costumed revelers and join in the numerous street jump-ups.

 

The celebration begins on April 17^th with thousands of dancing revelers parading through the streets for the “Opening of the Carnival Village Jump-Up” and the opening of the “Carnival Village” gates which signifies the start of Carnival.  

 

The events continue with the annual “Children’s Parade” which is slated to take place on April 20^th. This special costumed procession showcases the children of St. Maarten and represents the rich tradition of Carnival being passed from one generation to the next preserving the island’s culture.

 

On April 26^th residents and visitors alike celebrate the “Jouvert,” which comes from the French saying "jour ouvert" or morning open. In St. Maarten the Jouvert is centered on the Great Salt Pond, and is considered to be the largest of the street parties. Here revelers celebrate throughout the night by the shores of this unique St. Maarten landmark wearing personal costumes and creative dress.

 

On April 29^th, the “Grand Carnival Parade” showcases the creativity of costume design and dance from local and international participants. Carnival's Grand Parade is a unique multi-cultural event that celebrates the traditions of many countries and cultures around the world. The floats are spectacular, the music and costumes lavish and varied. Beautifully designed floats depict rich multi-cultural themes, and often feature performers that excite and entertain the crowds. Numerous troupes line the streets each with up to 300 members dancing in fantastic creative carnival costumes, while local musical artistes perform soca and calypso music for the revelers' entertainment as well as the onlookers.

 

“The Closing Jump Up” or "Last Lap" marks the Official Closing of the Carnival festivities. This is the last chance for all spectators to be seen fully dressed, dancing their way to the Carnival Village. This is also the last chance for the bands to prove who the best Carnival band is, as they compete for the prize of Carnival Band of the Year. This jump-up is be usually led by the Carnival man, known as “King MoMo.” When the he gets to the Carnival Village, “King MoMo is burnt, symbolizing all sins from the past year are forgiven and that the carnival celebrations have come to an end.

 

For more information about St. Maarten Carnival 2008, including the artists performing at the six different concerts taking place during the 2-week event, visit www.stmaartencarnival.com.  For more information on St. Maarten, please visit the website at www.vacationstmaarten.com.

 

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About St. Maarten

St. Maarten, known as “the culinary capital of the Caribbean”, is the smallest island in the world shared between two different nations, France and the Netherlands.  Visitors have a choice of 37 spectacular beaches to discover and enjoy across the two sides of the island.  Besides beaches, other great attractions on the island include duty free shopping, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, diving, snorkeling and numerous other land and watersports.  The island nightlife is unparalleled with some of the best entertainment in the Caribbean and the people are as inviting and warm as the tropical climate.  Whether you’re staying in a luxury villa or spending the night in the casinos, you’ll experience the only Caribbean island with grand sophistication and European flair.

 

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