It started on 25th November, 2011 and now forty days later, on 3rd January, 2012, carnival came to an end with many members of the general public still craving for more.
The carnival celebrations started at a jam-packed Independence Square where thousands came out to witness a spirited performance from King Elle-Matt and De Explainer, during the official opening ceremonies for the annual festival.
The carnival programme then went into high gear, when on 2nd December the Beaumont Park Soca Monarch Semi-Finals was hosted, in which we saw a Groovy segment being introduced for the first time. Sadly that weekend ended on a sad note when the chairman of the Soca Monarch sub-committee, Dwayne Sturge suddenly died.
The week of 4th to 10th December saw some carnival activities going to Nevis, including the Proud Sounds Calypso Tent and a series of mock interviews with the National Carnival Queen contestants; who also participated in a fashion show on Pinney’s Beach.
In the Spirit of Christmas and a youth rally were also scheduled for this period.
On 15th December 16 calypsonians were slimmed to seven (7) as they competed in the LIME Senior Calypso Monarch Semi-Finals. A day later, (16th December), Basseterre came alive when a street fair took over Fort Street for the entire day. Later that evening the National Carnival Talented Teen and LIME Junior Calypso show took center stage and saw Junika Berry and Singing Solution coming out as winners on that evening.
The very popular and well supported Party Central also kicked off its activities on Friday 16th December, producing nightly concerts that had a great appeal to the younger carnival generation.
Queen Anastasia then won her fifth crown on 17th December in the Female Calypso Bacchanal.
From 19th – 21st December, this period saw Fort Street again being closed to vehicular traffic, this time to accommodate dozens of folklore groups for their live performances.
Wednesday 21st December also welcomed perhaps the biggest show of this year’s carnival, in terms of crowd attendance, when nine of the country’s most humourous calypsonians participated in the MiyVue.com/ZIZ King of the Tents Calypso Competition, held at Port Zante. The eventual winner was King Rockafella, followed by Mighty Honesty and De Unexpected.
The 23rd December saw history being made as Shakki was named the first ever Groovy Soca Monarch, on a night that saw Mighty Take-over dethrone Konris in the power category.
Probably the most anticipated event on the carnival calendar occurred on 26th December when thousands took to the streets of Basseterre for hours of partying, in the traditional Boxing Day J’ouvert jump up.
After partying in the streets on the 26th, hundreds then flocked to the Sugar Mill on the 27th, when 6 beauties compete in the National Carnival Queen Pageant, which saw Ms. Kalia Huggins walking away with the crown and a brand new Hyundai Accent.
With another car up for grabs 8 calypsonians did battle for the Lime Senior Monarch title, where Konris continued his unbeaten run, winning his fifth crown.
Siobhan Phipps of St. Kitts captured the crown in the Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Competition, when she stormed to victory after beating out 11 other teenage contestants from across the region.
The Children of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis were then given a day in the spotlight when hundreds of them showed up to participate in a Children’s Carnival on Friday 30th December.
Monday, 2nd January, 2012, was Carnival Day, with a riot of colour and music as the troupes and bands came out in all their splendour to perform in front of thousands of spectators, moving through the streets of Basseterre.
The Final day of carnival, 3rd January, Last Lap, saw revellers getting a final chance to enjoy the last hours of the 40:40 Sugar Mas.
The big winners for the street activities were the Grand Masters Band-which won its eight Road March title and the Banker Mas Camp that once again was named Carnival Troupe or Band of the Year, with their superb presentation of “Somewhere in Taiwan”.
Now the celebrations are over, many participants have been giving mixed reviews with, some stating that it was one of the best carnivals ever, and others arguing it could have been better; advocating changes which they feel are necessary.
CARNIVAL 2011-2012 STREET ACTIVITIES RESULTS
POINTS
1 LARGEST TROUPE
FIRST SOMEWHERE IN TAIWAN BANKER’S MAS CAMP
2 MOST COLOURFUL TROUPE
FIRST SOMEWHERE IN TAIWAN BANKER’S MAS CAMP
3 KING OF THE BANDS
KITE MASTER SOMEWHERE IN TAIWAN- BANKER’S MAS CAMP
4 QUEEN OF THE BANDS
THE PHASES OF THE MOON SOMEWHERE IN TAIWAN-BANKER’S MAS CAMP
5 TROUPE OF THE YEAR
FIRST SOMEWHERE IN TAIWAN BANKER’S MAS CAMP 313
SECOND FUSION FANTASY PLUSH 283
THIRD 10:40 FUN & MAS,
CARNIVAL GEMS OF CLASS PHUNN MAKERS 242
6 J’OUVERT TROUPES
2ND RUNNER UP WINN JAMMERS 149
1ST RUNNER UP XTREME 189
WINNER RED DEVILS 192
7 ROAD MARCH
3RD RUNNER UP IREP SKB NU VYBES BAND INTL 11
STUPIDNESS MIGHTY HONESTY 11
2ND RUNNER UP SOAP DROP SMALL AXE BAND 19
WINNER STEP PON DEM GRAND MASTERS 27