Page 13 - ARUBA TODAY

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Saturday 10 February 2018

It’s Carnival! Events Dates

February 2018

-February 10 – Grand Carnival Parade in San Nicolas – 12:00 AM
-February 11 – 64th Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad – 12:00 AM
-February 11 – Burning of King Momo (ending of Grand Parade) 7:30 PM

ORANJESTAD - While the official opening of the carnival
season took off with the Torch Parade at January 6, the
island caught the carnival fever and since then entered
a series of carnival events that go on until February 11.
What’s up for this weekend is the Grand Final: Aruba’s
two Grand Parade’s in Oranjestad and San Nicolas. This is
your last chance to get a taste of this year’s carnival, join
in on our biggest cultural phenomenon.

Coming Up
The best is to save for last they say. Although for many lo- creativity and break away from the daily
cals the preparations for the carnival season are already buzz of life. Dancing to the rhythm of lo-
the biggest pleasure, in the end to shine in the two larg- cal music while enjoying the ambiance
est parades is the cherry on the pie. The music, the cos- of the public are some of the ingredients
tumes, the exotic ambiance, the dancing, the crowd … it of this festival. Oranjestad and San Nico-
all is overwhelmingly exciting and a feast to the eyes and las are the stages for this display of unique
ears. Today you can enjoy the Grand Carnival Parade in designed costumes, amazing ambience
San Nicolas from noon on. Sunday the Grand Carnival and upbeat, local music. The festival is for
Parade is on in Oranjestad, same starting time. In the eve- everybody accessible and safe to visit.
ning it all really comes to an official end with the Burning Behind the screens there is an enormous
of King Momo. King Momo, a life-size effigy of the spirit of organization that makes sure that this fes-
the Carnival, signals the end of the season. Monday is a tival runs smoothly. The police, inspection History
holiday to sleep in and leave the partying behind. department, Red Cross volunteers, gar- In the 1920’s the first carnival events were
bage service and many others work day organized by social clubs that started
and night to make sure that carnival is a private costume and masquerade par-
success. All the trailers are being carefully ties. This year we celebrate Aruba’s 64th
inspected before they are allowed to par- carnival, which means that the first grand
ticipate as well as the vehicles that pull parade took place in 1955. Since than
them. After each parade the streets are Aruba’s carnival has grown big and is now
being cleaned and road blocks are be- able to stand shoulder to shoulder with
ing taken away so next day normal traffic the most renowned Carnival celebrations
flow occurs. The several organizations and around the world.
institutions work together with the official For more information you can visit Face-
carnival organization SMAC. book page SMAC, the official carnival
organization.q

Cultural Fest
The island is known for its white-sanded beaches and
perfect climate, but this time in the year Aruba draws
thousands of visitors. If you have never been here be-
fore, come in carnival season as your experience will
be amazing. Sensational musical events, queen elec-
tions and different parades are all part of this spectacu-
lar phenomenon. Carnival is part of Aruba’s history and
cultural heritage, actually it is the largest cultural festival
on the island. For the islanders it is a way to express their