Bands drew large crowds of revellers as they made their way along the route to Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village.
PHILIPSBURG--The 2024 Carnival season officially kicked off on Thursday evening with the opening jump-up from St. John’s Estate to Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village.
Revellers and spectators came out in droves to participate in the festivities, filling the streets as five trucks led the way with music blaring and revellers dancing along the route. Thousands of people flooded the streets to join in or watch the festivities.
The village was officially opened by representatives of Carnival, as well as sponsors such as TelEm Group and MotorWorld, along with Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel, just after 11:00pm Thursday.
During the official opening ceremony Samuel welcomed patrons to the Carnival season, encouraging them to have a safe and enjoyable time. Sponsors from TelEm and Motorworld also extended their wishes for a happy and safe Carnival season, as did representatives of the French-side carnival committee FCDSM.
St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) President Edwardo Radjouki expressed his excitement for the new carnival season in his remarks, thanking stakeholders, volunteers, booth-holders, bands and emergency services for their contributions to the event. He made note of the local essence of this year’s Carnival season. He officially declared the 2024 Carnival season open and urged everyone to come and experience the joy of Carnival. With the festivities in full swing, the Carnival season promises to be a fun and exciting time for all who participate.
