Saba Carnival 'forty years long, still jamming strong'

From Saturday, July 25, up until and including Sunday, August 2, Saba will be celebrating 40 years of Carnival under the slogan “40 years long, still jamming strong.” writes The Daily Herald.

Starting with Saturday’s Calypso Showdown and running up to the Second Day Parade of Sunday, August 2, Sabans will immerge themselves in nine days filled with fun activities.

Carnival 2015 will kick off Saturday with the “Best of da Best” Calypso Showdown and Road March Competition, during which eight calypsonians and nine Road March contestants will be competing for the crown. The evening, which will be monitored by master of ceremonies Rick Da Fox from St. Maarten, will also be featuring Entyce Band and Saba Youth UDF.

The Children’s Parade is the first of a number of street activities and will be held on Sunday, followed by the Balloon Lighted Jump Up from St. John’s to The Bottom, featuring Entyce Band, on Monday. After the Jump Up, Carnival Village will be officially opened with a performance by Grand Masters Band from St. Kitts.

Tuesday, July 28, is Soca Frenzy 2015 night with Spectrum Band from St. Thomas and Krosfyah, featuring Leadpipe and Saddis from Barbados.

The focus will be on reggae and dancehall on Wednesday, July 29, during the Reggae Splash- Dancehall Invasion, featuring Cecile and SMS Band from St. Maarten.

The Miss Dutch Caribbean 2015 pageant will be held on Thursday, July 30. The event will feature contestants from St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, Saba, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao vying for the crown.

Friday, July 31, is Latin night with Reventon Latino II, featuring Junior Zaa from the Dominican Republic, Mr. Codigo y Alexjota and DJ Urena from St. Maarten, as well as Saba’s DJ Daddy Slim.

The 2015 Carnival celebrations will culminate on Saturday, August 1, with Jouvert Morning, featuring XP Band and Entyce Band, followed by the Grand Parade with Small Ax Band.

Carnival will be closed off on Sunday, August 2, with the Second Day Parade, followed by a performance of North Sound Brass International from Anguilla and the traditional burning of King Momo.