BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE highly anticipated Boxing Day J’ouvert exceeded expectations as officials applauded the revelers and bands for their performances and the impressive turnout.
From the early morning hours until midday, participants of all ages—locals and visitors alike—filled the streets of downtown Basseterre with vibrant energy, dancing and parading behind the major bands that led the party.
With the coveted Road March title up for grabs, bands gave their all while crowds of revelers and enthusiastic onlookers partied in the streets. Chair of the National Carnival Committee, Shannon Hawley, expressed her admiration for the bands and highlighted the growing interest in the event.
She noted that more than 1,800 participants were registered across 10 J’ouvert troupes, a testament to the event's increasing popularity.
As in previous years, Fort Street and its surrounding areas were bustling with spectators, offering a significant boost to small businesses that set up along the streets during the busy Christmas and Carnival season.
This year’s festivities showcased an increased presence of superhero and movie character costumes within the parades, while many bands and their revelers embraced various themes to add to the celebration’s creative flair.
Minister of Culture and the Creative Economy, Samal Duggins, also praised the bands and revelers.
"I am enjoying what I am seeing," Duggins remarked. "Foreigners, locals, expats and everybody are having a wonderful time. From the Carnival Committee standpoint, I don’t think I have seen a bigger Jouvert morning before. So, I happy am with our efforts."
Given the overwhelming turnout for J’ouvert, the minister expressed high expectations for the upcoming parade day, which is predicted to attract even more support.
Meanwhile, this year’s Carnival Road March competition saw a total of 11 full band entries, promising a fierce and exciting contest
