MARIGOT--Carnival on the French side truly got underway on Sunday with the Children’s Parade turning the streets of Marigot into a blaze of brilliant colours, confetti showers and dazzling choreography sequences.
The chosen theme this year was the Tropical Forest. The Carnival Committee for the first time collaborated with Caisse Territorial des Oeuvres Scolaires (CTOS) and its after-school programme to select the troupes from the various schools.
As such, participation came from just about every kindergarten and elementary school on the French side, split into 19 different sections.
The kindergarten schools included Jérôme Beaupère, Siméon Trott, Ghislaine Rogers, Jean Anselme, Eliane Clarke and Evelina Halley.
Elementary schools were Emile Larmonie, Marie-Antoinette Richards, Clair Saint-Maximin, Nina Duverly, Hervé Williams, Emile Choisy, Aline Hanson, Marie-Amelie Leydet, Omer Arrondell, and Elie Gibs.
The Sandy Ground Cultural Centre and Le Trio du Flamboyant also took part. The Locomotiv Band brought up the rear of the parade.
The parade started on time at 2:00pm and made its usual circuit around town before returning on Rue de Hollande to the starting point. It was led by the Miss Pitchounette and Junior Carnival Queen winners and their runners-up in four open top vehicles.
A panel of judges was placed on Rue de La République, St. Martin’s version of Rio’s Sambadrome, to judge the troupes as they went past. It was the opportunity for the parade’s biggest troupes to show off their choreography.
By far the largest troupe of the afternoon was the Clair Saint-Maximin Elementary School from French Quarter with 160 children participating.
There was no rain to dampen the parade but an overcast sky meant the sun came out intermittently.
The parade was emceed by entertainer Ricky Da Phox who this year was dressed as Superman on a Hoverboard, and as usual kept the spectators amused.
Results of the parade will be announced towards the end of Carnival.
