Carnival route announced; reminder of rules

Chairperson of the Road Parade Committee Charlene White-Christian has announced the parade route for Carnival 2023 ‘Mas Ah Lawi’.

She made the announcement during a Carnival press conference held at the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) office this week.

“The parade Carnival Monday inclusive of Jouvert and Tuesday, it shall commence at the intersection of Kennedy Avenue and Independence Street which is basically our starting point, and move southward along Independence Street, at the intersection of Independence Street and King George V Street, the parade will turn right on King George V Street and proceed westward to the Bayfront (Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard),” she revealed.

She continued, “Thereafter the parade will turn right and proceed in a northerly direction to the intersection of the Bayfront and Kennedy Avenue.”

White-Christian added, “Finally the parade will turn right onto Kennedy Avenue and move easterly until it returns to the starting point.”

Furthermore, she indicated that the parade departure times for Carnival Monday are 11 AM to 3 PM which will be the judging time, while Carnival Monday Youth Mas will be from 11 AM to 2 PM.

“Carnival Monday T-shirt Band will begin from 2 PM,” White-Christian noted.

She went on to state that the first Lapo Kabwit band to strike at 4:00 AM will receive an award.

“We will be looking at the Lapo Kabwit band with the largest following…,” she revealed.

She continued, ”We will be looking at the best male dressed, best female dressed, best sensay for Jouvert.”

White-Christian explained that judging will take place along the route from 4 AM.

“The changes that we may not see everybody, so this opportunity is very good for those who really want to be judged to find themselves on the Bayfront,” she said. “We will also be having the best Jouvert costume group, the best ole mas band, longest Lapo Kabwit, largest Lapo Kabwit, the best jouvert group, and the best theatrical group.”

She pointed out that the ole mas parade will commence at 10 AM.

“We will be judging this year the best ole mas band, the best creative individual for the Monday parade, the best sensay group whether it’s adults or children,” White-Christian revealed.

She went on to state that the Carnival Monday parade will begin at 11 AM, where the groups will gather at the Financial Center.

“We will be judging the best children’s band of the year, primary school and secondary school, the best float presented by a school or a group,” she further explained. “We will be giving special awards for Carnival spirit as well as for the King and the Queen of the youth bands.”

White-Christian said for Carnival Tuesday the parade begins at 10 AM and two segments will be presented.

“We will be judging the best traditional band, the best contemporary which is where our feather bands come in…,” she stated. “The King and Queen for each of those bands will also be chosen.”

She mentioned, in addition, that the Road Parade Committee will also be judging the band of the year.

“We will look at all the bands who have been performing on Carnival Tuesday and we choose one band to become the band of the year,” White-Christian explained. “It could either be a contemporary band or a traditional band.”

Meantime, she encouraged the band leaders to follow the rules for Carnival.

“The band leaders, you have quite a few responsibilities and it is important that you really get those rules from the DFC [Dominica Festivals Committee],” she said. “Your bands with your trucks, very important, the police will stipulate, but I want to stress it again, 13 feet from the ground to the top. It should not be more than 13 feet.”

She said in 2020 the road committee prevented a truck from proceeding onto the streets because it was too tall.

“They were more than 13 feet and we don’t want that embarrassment for any band or any group,” she remarked.

Very importantly White-Christian urged band leaders to be cautious with their linesmen.

“Please ensure that they have the proper rubber boots and gloves because we don’t want any accidents,” she stressed. “In 2020 we had some persons using their bare hands, we had to stop that, we are not sure what is happening up there with those electrical lines, so please you have to be careful.”

She warns of having patrons at the top of the trucks on the speakers.

“The only persons who should be on top there are your performers,” White-Christian warned.

She added, “Try not to have more than seven, because seven is already a lot for a truck. For us, your safety is very important.”