Page 9 - AB

a8 local
Saturday 3 February 2024

Come and experience the Lighting Parade tonight!

(Oranjestad)—Tonight at locals, dancing and singing
8:00 pm, Aruba will once behind a huge truck playing
again come together and Soca music. Jouvert Morning
enjoy this year’s edition of took place early this morning
Lighting Parade in the down around 3am till sun rise.
town area. Starting from the
Avenida Millo Croes street, If you missed it, don’t worry;
working its way up to the tonight there will be another
Renaissance Market Place, parade to enjoy from: the
the Lighting Parade includes Lighting Parade in Oranjes-
colorful lights, carnival music tad (down town). This year’s
and of course, the carnival line-up at the Lighting Pa-
spirit! rade includes nine Carnaval
groups—TOB, Infinity, Royal,
Brief history of the Aruban Empire, Champagne, Dushi,
carnival Los Laga Bai, OPC and Co-
In the 1920’s the first carni- lours—all accompanied by
val events were organized parade walkers adorned in
by social clubs that started their beautiful, themed cos-
private costume and mas- tumes, dancing to the sound
querade parties. The first of live Soca music.
grand parade took place in
1955, and this year’s carnival Behind the screens there is
celebration is an especially an enormous organization
big one, as it marks the 70th that makes sure that this
anniversary of carnival here festival runs smoothly. The
on the island. For the island- police, inspection depart-
ers it is a way to express their ment, Red Cross volunteers,
creativity and break away garbage service and many
from the daily buzz of life. others work day and night
Dancing to the rhythm of to make sure that carnival
local soca music while en- is a success. All the trailers
joying the ambiance of the are being carefully inspect-
public are some of the ingre- ed before they are allowed
dients of this festival. Oran- to participate as well as the
jestad and San Nicolas are vehicles that pull them. The
the stages for this display of parades will also include a
unique designed costumes, medical emergency stand
amazing ambience and up- too. After each parade the
beat, local music. The festival streets are being cleaned
is for everybody accessible and road blocks are being
and safe to visit. taken away so next day nor-
mal traffic flow occurs. The
Since we are reaching the several organizations and in-
end of the carnival season, stitutions work together with
these last few upcoming pa- the official carnival organiza-
rades are especially impor- tion SMAC.
tant—and are most favored
by locals. One of them in- So bring a chair, your friends
cludes the Jouvert Morning and family, a few drinks
Parade, a unique parade in and snacks, and be a part
the carnival season, as it only of what makes the Aruban
includes the participation of culture so vibrant!q