This is perhaps the earliest official start of carnival in its 42 year history. In recent years, the committee had a tendency to stage what they called an official launch in November and then the official opening in mid-December.
Though a few new initiatives have been added to the line-up of activities, the spotlight remains on the calypso and queen shows.
For this year’s edition of the festival, the National Queen Pageant will be staged on Wednesday 27th December, but when the contestants were revealed on the weekend only five delegates were presented, instead of the customary six.
Leading up to the launch however there were many reasons being advanced to explain why it was taking such a long period to announce the contestants, with some pageant watchers indicating that the committee was having difficulty attracting participants, while others who had shown interest had had a change of heart.
The five contestants presented Friday were Yarayni Morton of Mattingley Heights, Shakeda Gerald, Kaeve Armstrong of Boyd Village, Lasanna Yearwood of Monkey Hill and Brianda Harvey also of Monkey Hill.
As to be expected the critics have started their analysis and have been making their early predictions as to which contestant they feel will emerge as the 2013/14 National Carnival Queen. The current title holder is Imo Zinga of Frigate Bay.
No contestant from Nevis is involved this year after having a presence in most of the pageants in the last decade. In 2012, there were two residents of Nevis who competed with both placing in the top three, (First Runner-up and Second Runner-up).
Interest is also being shown in the Miss Talented Teen contest, which this year will have the participation of delegates from the Basseterre High School, Washington Archibald High, Saddlers Secondary School, Verchilds High, Immaculate Conception Catholic School (ICCS), (formerly Convent), and the Charles E Mills (Sandy Point) High School.
The reigning Miss Talented Teen is Pernelle Abraham of the ICCS. The contest is slated for Saturday 21st December.
This year’s Soca Monarch contest is billed for 20th December while the Senior Monarch Competition will take place on 28th December and the Miss Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen on 30th December.