The 2024 Montserrat Carnival has officially begun.
This is the 62 year of the December festival, which was renamed a carnival in 2019 to separate it from the other festivals held throughout the year.
After a short but colourful parade of the festival participants, the opening ceremony began in Carnival City, Little Bay with the Emerald Community Singers and prayer by Father Carlisle Vyphuis.
Director of the Montserrat Arts Council, Kenneth “Rabo” Silcott said in his remarks that “planning for carnival as in life requires adaptation to effect change and celebrate our culture.” He encouraged attendees and those watching and listening online to take time to enjoy the music, pageantry and indulge in the island’s traditional foods. To the youth, he invited them to learn about their culture and “embrace our cultural expression. Never stop dreaming and aspiring for cultural greatness,” he added.
Mr. Silcott expressed thanks to the volunteers, heads and members of the carnival sub-committees, along with other ticketing staff, security, light and sound technicians, boot owners, private promoters. and sponsors who supported this year’s event, despite the challenges. He gave special commendation to the hard working team at the arts council, which he called “small but talawah.”
The director acknowledged the collaboration with other government departments and agencies including the Montserrat Tourism Authority, the Montserrat Port Authority, Montserrat Utilities Limited, among others. He added that without the attendees in the park and online, the carnival fails.
“Do not underestimate the intrinsic value of the culture…do not take it lightly,” Silcott declared.
During the three-hour opening, tribute was given to the cultural icons, who passed away in 2024. These included calypsonians James “Rhadyo” Fenton and Neville “Instructor” Tuitt, calypsonian, songwriter et al Justin “Hero” Cassell, reggae artisit and son of Hero, Sean Cassell/Ijah Melenik – Rasta Camp, one of the festival’s first committee heads, Cedric Osborne, and Miss Goosey.
With Jermaine “Fabulous” Wade as Master of Ceremonies, the evening continued with the sashing ceremony for the six delegates competing for the Miss Montserrat crown.
Before being sashed by Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism, Culture, and Diaspora Affairs, Crenston Buffonge, each young woman introduced herself.
The delegates are:
- Delegate #1 – 19-year-old Mauricia Barzey
- Delegate #2 – 21-year-old Shana Johnson
- Delegate #3 – 19-year-old Carisa Brudy
- Delegate #4 – 26-year-old Essaline Martin
- Delegate #5 – 22-year-old Anna-Kay Turner (sister of Miss Montserrat 2019 Janet Turner)
- Delegate #6 – 19-year-old Danté Daniel
The women will compete for the crown on December 28 at 8pm in Carnival City.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Matrixx Dance Company, Next Level Dancers, Soca Monarch Power Duo, D’Vicious & Lyrikal Tool, and Calypso Monarch Garnett “Sylk” Thompson.
There was an official handover of cheques from carnival sponsors to the Montserrat Arts Council.
The Carnival Sponsors are: St. Patrick’s Cooperative Credit Union, MS Osborne Ltd., CG United, Moneycount Accounting Ltd., STANTEC, Ashok’s Supermarket, Montserrat Port Authority, and 360 Productions.
The MAC director says they are still open to receiving additional sponsors for this year’s carnival.
The parliamentary secretary declared the carnival officially opened.
The Emerald Shamiole Masquerades closed out the opening ceremony.
Montserrat Carnival 2024 culminates on January 1 with the grand parade. See the full schedule of official and community events happening across the island here.
Listen to the opening event here – https://montserratradioecho.wordpress.com/2024/12/14/saturday-december-14-2024-opening-ceremony-of-montserrat-carnival-2024/
