In a gesture of goodwill, Bacchanal Carnival organizers have announced a free event this Friday, August 8, at Creek City for all Carnival package holders. The celebration, beginning at 8 PM, is intended to honor the resilience of the community and bring closure to a season marked by both joy and unexpected tragedy.
The announcement comes in the wake of a mechanical failure during Monday Mas 2025 that led to the abrupt halt of the parade on Queen Elizabeth Highway. The malfunction of a music truck resulted in injuries to several revellers, three of whom were seriously hurt. Thankfully, all injured individuals have since been discharged and are recovering.
“Let’s close this season united as one,” said Iaisha, lead organizer of Bacchanal Carnival, in a message to supporters. “We hope we can come together to celebrate life and the true spirit of Bacchanal Carnival.”
Monday Mas was designed to be a vibrant showcase of Antiguan and Dominican musical fusion. But the unexpected truck failure forced organizers to stop the parade so emergency services could respond. Despite the disruption, the team rallied to continue the festivities at YASCO, where Kaution Band and Signal Band helped end the night on a high note.
Iaisha expressed deep sympathy for those injured and offered full support to them and their families. She also acknowledged the disappointment felt by paying revellers, saying, “We’re truly sorry as this wasn’t the experience we worked so hard to create.”
Organizers emphasized that safety had been a top priority, and to their knowledge, all trucks had been inspected and cleared before going on the road. A full investigation by the Police and Carnival Committee is underway, and the team has pledged to await its findings before commenting further.
Despite the setback, the Bacchanal team says it has been overwhelmed by the love and support shown by fans and fellow revellers. “Your energy meant everything,” Iaisha said, thanking those who stayed and helped carry the spirit of Carnival forward.
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