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Saturday 9 February 2019

It’s Carnival!

While the official opening of the carnival sea- allowed to participate as well as the vehicles we celebrate Aruba’s 65 carnival, which
th
son took off with the Torch Parade at Janu- that pull them. After each parade the streets means that the first grand parade took place
ary 5, the island caught the carnival fever are being cleaned and road blocks are be- in 1955. Since than Aruba’s carnival has
and since then entered a series of carnival ing taken away so next day normal traffic flow grown big and is now able to stand shoulder
events that go on until March 3. What has occurs. The several organizations and institu- to shoulder with the most renowned Carnival
been past weekend and week: the Grand tions work together with the official carnival celebrations around the world. Aruba Today
Tumba Contest, the Children & Youth Calypso organization SMAC. has put the coming carnival events for you in
& Roadmarch Contest and the Pre-Finals of a row:
the Caiso & Soca Monarch. Coming up this What’s Been
afternoon and tonight: the Children’s Parade Last weekend we had the Grand Tumba  February 9 – Children’s Parade in
Noord starting at Bubali Shopping Center and Contest going on. Music is essential for car- Noord – Noon
the Grand Final Caiso & Soca Monarch in San nival and the carnival songs contest is called  February 9 – Final Caiso & Soca Mon-
Nicolas Carnival Village. Tumbo for the adults and Tumberito for the arch in Carnival Village – 7:00 PM
children. The lyrics of the songs must relate  February 15 — La Ora Loca Jump Up in
The island is known for its white-sanded to carnival and come with humor and satire St.Cruz 8:00 PM
beaches and perfect climate, but there is linked to island events. The Children & Youth  February 17 – Transfer of command at
one time in the year that Aruba draws thou- Calypso & Roadmarch Contest is the mini ver- Government Main Office – 10:00 AM
sands of visitors: carnival. If you have never sion of the festival that’s on for tonight. The  February 17 – Grand Children’s Carni-
been here before, come in carnival season as youth takes the stage in this contest to battle val Parade in Oranjestad – 1:00 PM
your experience will be amazing. Sensational for the best song.  February 23 – Jouvert Morning & Pyja-
musical events, queen elections and different ma Party in San Nicolas – 3:00 am
parades are all part of this spectacular phe- Coming Up  February 23 – Aruba’s Grand Lighting
nomenon. Carnival is part of Aruba’s history At Noord the Children’s Parade takes off this Parade in Oranjestad – 8:00 PM
and cultural heritage, actually it is the largest afternoon. Amazing creative costumes and  February 24 – Grand Children’s Pa-
cultural festival on the island. For the island- dancing kids on uplifting music are the ingre- rade in San Nicolas – 1:00 PM
ers it is a way to express their creativity and dients of this entertaining parade. You must  February 24 – Buring of Momito in Car-
break away from the daily buzz of life. Danc- have a look! Something that is taken very seri- nival Village – 7:30 PM
ing to the rhythm of local music while enjoy- ous in the island is the election of the Caiso  February 28 – Lighting Parade in San
ing the ambiance of the public are some of & Soca Monarch. The island’s greatest music Nicolas – 8:00 PM
the ingredients of this festival. Oranjestad and creators go head to head in an epic musical  March 1 — Hebbe Hebbe Music Fes-
San Nicolas are the stages for this display of battle. Only one will be crowned Soca Mon- tival parking lot Post Office – 8:00 PM
unique designed costumes, amazing ambi- arch and only one will reign as Calypso Mon-  March 2 – Grand Carnival Parade in
ence and upbeat, local music. The festival arch. And in the end there will be only one San Nicolas – 10:00 AM
is for everybody accessible and safe to visit. Road March Champion. The festival starts to-  March 3 – 65th Grand Carnival Pa-
Behind the screens there is an enormous or- night at 7 PM at Carnival Village in San Nico- rade in Oranjestad – 10:00 AM
ganization that makes sure that this festival las.  March 3 – Burning of King Momo (end-
runs smoothly. The police, inspection depart- ing of Grand Parade) 8:00 PM
ment, Red Cross volunteers, garbage service History
and many others work day and night to make In the 1920’s the first carnival events were or- For more information you can visit Face-
sure that carnival is a success. All the trailers ganized by social clubs that started private book page SMAC, the official carnival
are being carefully inspected before they are costume and masquerade parties. This year organization.q