Antigua Carnival featured among world festivals

Friday May 04 2007
By Nikisha Smith

Antigua’s Carnival celebrations were recognised by MSN Travel as one of the world’s 12 most fascinating festivals being held in the summer.

The article, “12 Fascinating Festivals”, was featured on the Internet portal’s 3 April home page, and prefaced that the ‘unique’ events highlighted will leave one with some priceless memories.

On the festival, the unknown author said that Carnival celebrations happen all year round in the Caribbean but in July it becomes Antigua’s turn to stage "this colourful and spectacular street party." It said Carnival features concerts, food fairs, parades and cultural shows.

The brief article said, “Antiguans display their creativity in song, dance and pageantry in a series of exciting steel band and calypso competitions featuring the island’s best musicians and performers.”

Also mentioned in the article were the ‘colourful’ parade of costumed bands, the Miss Antigua Pageant and the Caribbean Queen Competition.

Giving a brief history of Carnival, the article said that it is over 40 years old, has its roots in slavery and is a celebration of the emancipation of the slaves.

The travel article featured other festivals including the Wife Carrying World Championships in Finland, the Fiesta de San Fermín in Pamplona, Spain, where there is the running of the bulls, Thailand’s water throwing festival, Germany’s Bus Pulling Championships and Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Festival.

The information on the festivals was gathered from the worldwide events guide at Whatsonwhen.com published in April.

Having not seen the article, Director General of Tourism Lorraine Headley said nonetheless that such mentions of the island were helpful in promoting the island as a tourist destination. She also noted that Antigua has been featured by other sites, particularly for its honeymoon and wedding amenities.

Antigua Carnival celebrates its 50th anniversary this year from 21 July to 28 Aug., the customary 11 days of celebration specially extended this year to include more festivities.

Antigua Carnival has become known in years gone by as ‘the greatest summer festival.’