Page 11 - AHATA

a8 local
Tuesday 4 March 2025

Aruba says farewell to Carnival 71!

This weekend marked the conclusion of On Saturday, the Grand Parade took place
the 71st Carnival, with luxurious parades in in San Nicolas. By 12:00 PM, the police, to-
Oranjestad and San Nicolas, and finally, the gether with SMAC, officially started the pa-
burning of Momo. rade. There were nine groups, a last lap, and
approximately 3,000 participants.

At 5:08 PM, the head of the the Grand Parade of Car-
parade arrived at Joe Laveist nival 71 in a special and
Sport Park, and by 7:32 PM, beautiful way. TOB Carnival
the parade came to a stop Group led the parade, ac-
after the truck of the Empire companied by the Aruba
group encountered issues. A Carnival Queen as well as
decision was made to stop the Senior Carnival Queen.
the band’s music and the The second group was Du-
last lap, according to the shi Carnival Group, which
police. This was done for accompanied the Youth
everyone's safety, as night Carnival Queen. The third
had already fallen. group was Champagne
Sunday marked the official Carnival Group; the fourth
closure of Aruba’s 71st Car- was Aruba Tourist Carnival
nival celebration. A majestic Group; the fifth was OPC
parade filled with energy, Carnival Group; the sixth
joy, and dazzling costumes was Colours Carnival Group;
took over the streets of Oran- the seventh was Los Laga Bai
jestad. Carnival Group; the eighth
Starting at 11:00 AM, the was Empire Carnival Group,
grand parade in Oranjestad and the last group was Royal
set off from the Aruba Enter- Carnival Group.
tainment Center. With a total At the end of the parade, as
of seven carnival groups, the is customary every year, the
festive atmosphere was pres- Burning of Momo took place,
ent both on the streets and officially bidding farewell to
behind the barricades. Carnival 71. q
Massive Brassband opened