Page 11 - ATA_Neat

A16 LOCAL
Saturday 3 February 2018

It’s Carnival!

While the official opening of the carnival season sible and safe to visit. Behind the screens there is
took off with the Torch Parade at January 6, the an enormous organization that makes sure that
island caught the carnival fever and since then this festival runs smoothly. The police, inspection
entered a series of carnival events that go on department, Red Cross volunteers, garbage
until February 11. What’s up for this weekend: service and many others work day and night
Aruba’s Grand Lighting Parade in Oranjestad to make sure that carnival is a success. All the
and the Grand Children Parade San Nicolas. trailers are being carefully inspected before
Get a taste and join in on our biggest cultural they are allowed to participate as well as the
phenomenon. vehicles that pull them. After each parade the
streets are being cleaned and road blocks are
Coming Up being taken away so next day normal traffic
Tonight you can really catch the carnival fever flow occurs. The several organizations and in-
with Aruba’s Grand Lighting Parade in Oranjes- stitutions work together with the official carnival
tad starts at 8 pm. A sea of lights will shine in organization SMAC.
the night with this amazing parade. Sunday you
can enjoy the little ones in their carnival set up  February 3 – Aruba’s Grand Lighting Pa-
while watching the Grand Children’s Parade rade in Oranjestad – 8:00 PM
in San Nicolas and in the evening takes place  February 4 – Grand Children’s Parade in
the Buring of Momito at Carnival Village in San San Nicolas – 2:00 PM
Nicolas. He is the children’s spirit of carnival and  February 4 – Buring of Momito at Carni-
with the last children’s parade a puppet will be val Village in San Nicolas – 7:30 PM
burnt in order to announce the end of the chil- phenomenon. Carnival is part of Aruba’s history  February 8 – Lighting Parade in San
dren’s carnival season. and cultural heritage, actually it is the largest Nicolas – 8:00 PM
cultural festival on the island. For the islanders  February 10 – Grand Carnival Parade in
Cultural Fest it is a way to express their creativity and break San Nicolas – 12:00 AM
The island is known for its white-sanded beach- away from the daily buzz of life. Dancing to the  February 11 – 64th Grand Carnival Pa-
es and perfect climate, but there this time in the rhythm of local music while enjoying the ambi- rade in Oranjestad – 12:00 AM
year Aruba draws thousands of visitors. If you ance of the public are some of the ingredients  February 11 – Burning of King Momo
have never been here before, come in carnival of this festival. Oranjestad and San Nicolas are (ending of Grand Parade) 7:30 PM
season as your experience will be amazing. Sen- the stages for this display of unique designed
sational musical events, queen elections and costumes, amazing ambience and upbeat, lo- For more information you can visit Facebook
different parades are all part of this spectacular cal music. The festival is for everybody acces- page SMAC, the official carnival organization.q