(St. Lucia, West Indies) – St. Lucia’s Carnival is quickly becoming one of the most noteworthy cultural festivals in the Caribbean, with festivities commencing June 5th and continuing through July 19th.
St. Lucia Carnival incorporates creative competition in the cultural arts of music, dance, song, costume and drama. Organized annually by the St. Lucia Tourist Board and the Cultural Development Foundation, the island welcomes visitors from the Caribbean and beyond to join the colorful revelry.
2005 Carnival event highlights include the Carnival Calypso Competition; crowning of the Carnival King and Queen; the Soca Monarch (up-tempo foot stomping) competition; the Junior Carnival celebration, the Panorama steel band competition; the comedic Ole Mas performances; and nightly traditional J’Ouvert Jam activities. The festivities lead up to the final closing ceremony that promises to be the most extravagant display in St. Lucia’s Carnival history.
In 2000, the St. Lucia Tourist Board decided to move Carnival from the traditional pre-Lent dates in February to June and July, in hopes of increasing tourism and eliminating the competition of other Caribbean Carnival festivities. Indeed the change helped boost visitor numbers, with an even greater increase anticipated for 2005.
For a schedule of Carnival events visit, www.luciancarnival.com.
