PHILIPSBURG--The theme for the 2016 Lighting up the Road Parade is, “The Clash of the Titans”. The reason this was chosen is due to the fact that two famous Caribbean bands will be performing on the road that night. The bands “clashing” at the event are The Fantastic 4 and Small Axe Band. The fifth annual Lighted Parade will take place on April 9.
Pink T-shirts cost US $50 and will allow the reveller to drink alcoholic drinks, and yellow shirts are for non-alcoholic drinkers, who will drink soft drinks. They are available at Van Dorp and Soggy Dollar’s and Brenda Wathey’s offices in Philipsburg next to Jump Up Casino. It is Rio Productions’ mission to provide a safe environment, where revellers can enjoy Carnival music as they parade in lighted T-shirts and costumes through the streets of Philipsburg, showcasing St. Maarten’s culture. In order to achieve that, the organization of the event needs to be on point, with all safety measures taken into consideration.
The organising committee is tasked with the precision planning, and connecting all the dots to make this the best Carnival Night Parade ever in St. Maarten. A new element that will be added to the Lighted Parade this year is the “Rio Village” located on Ring Road opposite the ENNIA Building. The organizers envision this to become a “hot spot” where spectators can gather, eat, drink and party while waiting for the Lighted Parade to pass by.
It is also the place where the parade will be ending, as it is marked as the venue for the official after party, where musical entertainment will continue well after the parade has ended. President of Rio Productions Brenda Wathey is very excited about the current developments.
“Former Burning Flames, now Fantastic four, and Small Axe will be bands on the road, and for the first time Soggy Dollar Bar will be teaming up with us as well. They are going to build a trailer with amazing light and sound effects, where DJ’s will be performing. That, in combination with our costume section, and the flashing gadgets that our main sponsors Chippie and Caribbean Liquors and Tobacco will be providing, we can assure each and every one that it’s going to be a light fantastic show. Something that you just don’t want to miss,” Wathey said.
More information about the Lighted Parade can be found on www.rioproductions.sx.
