a A few years ago, a St. Lucian who recognized me as a Trinidadian from the island jokingly said to me, “Trinidadians like to party a lot”… and I said, “We don’t like to party.” I invented it!” That adorable little declaration, while evoking some sympathy, was for me a simple fact of Caribbean life. Trinidad and Tobago has perfected this festival, even carnival festival, and has distilled it down to a science.
A former director of the National Cultural Affairs Bureau once said: “More than shows like Dimanche Gras or Calypso Fiesta, or even the revered calypso tent, the festive aesthetic dominates and sometimes defines many carnivals at home and abroad.” The vintage tagline “The Greatest Show on Earth” should probably be rebranded as “The Greatest Party on Earth.”
Organizing and participating in carnival festivals now constitutes an industry. The classification of different types of festivals shows the art of Trini always going above and beyond in terms of profitability potential, social profile and new ways to enjoy.
The festival can be held indoors or outdoors. From sunrise to sunset. A great high-end haute cuisine event or Brams, a nifty general admission showcasing the island’s innovation and inspiration, energy, stamina, hedonism and brio. This isn’t your parents’ casual house party or rhymes…although those still exist.
Why Trinidad and not elsewhere? Perhaps it’s the robust economy that supports a vast amount of event infrastructure and logistics assets, as well as the fact that the island is the Caribbean’s mecca for carnival, the spiritual center of New World Africa’s celebrations. This is probably due to the worldwide recognition that it is the birthplace of Japan. Carnival, theater, chaos, and popular resistance all live here.
The commercialization of fun by party planners and eager audiences is big business. In 2022, the Minister of Tourism said in Parliament:[For] For Carnival alone, the direct economic value of visitor spending is approximately [US$66.5 million, attracting] That’s about 10% of the annual visitors to our coast. ” The ministry reported that visitor spending in 2024 was “approximately US$93.3 million or TT$634 million.”
BBeyond the economics of the festival and the industry that has grown around it, there are tangible and intangible benefits, including lasting memories of the great Carnival festivities. After mastering the vocabulary of action words, it’s all about drinking wine and crashing into bumpers. To lime and fetus. And to balance things out (nostalgic but delicious), there’s a menu of eclectic fetish options, including bram, block and jam session.
Festivals come in a variety of sizes, depending on disposable income, stamina, desire for a luxurious lifestyle, tolerance (or desire) for dirty dancing under the sun or moon, and preference for frolicking on land and sea. There are different types.
Traditional festivals, where you pay an entrance fee, buy your own drinks and food on the spot, and enjoy live entertainment and DJs, are an offshoot of once-popular public events hosted by sports and social clubs. It’s been going on for ten years. Civil servants in government agencies and national power companies.
There was a kind of “all-one” atmosphere that minimized differences in class and race, but amplified joy and fun. As society evolved and festivals became more specialized and differentiated, the popularity of general admission events waned and few remained. That includes the granddaddy of them all, the big army festival.
“This is serious. This is one of Trinis’ main avenues to express yourself and have fun. We can’t take it for granted, it’s no big deal. there is no.”
Their boast of being “Carnival’s safest festival” is probably true, as there is literally army security there. Highlights include a large stage featuring major soca artists and DJs. Shorts and sneakers are the recommended attire for marathon parties (please note that wearing camouflage clothing is illegal in Trinidad). There’s an enhanced VIP section and a timed option to bring your own drink cooler as an add-on.
Carnival festival options have evolved over the decades into two broad categories: “cool festivals” and “all-inclusive festivals.” Both have many “flavors”. The experience of trying either, or preferably both, is an island rite of passage for novice party-goers and seasoned hard-core revelers alike.
Cooler fete, which encourages patrons to bring their own drinks in a portable cooler, is a great value option and has become a new favorite over the years. Food service, in some cases through sponsors, focuses on local comfort foods such as the ubiquitous double and corn soup, folley and bake and shark.
Cathy Ann Boucoa of J’Ouvert’s band D’Cocoa Crew is a member of Bayview Friday (held the Friday before Carnival), a wonderful “cool festival with ocean views” that has been held for 15 years. The founder says that at her festival, “patrons can choose their own drinks, with unlimited participation!” ”
Nariva Robinson, founder of Zeal Events, a brand of cool events and boat cruises, points out: This is one of Trinis’ main avenues to express yourself and have fun. We can’t take it for granted, it’s no big deal. ”
Both entrepreneurs argue that the overall experience – cost, comfort and casual atmosphere – is important to patrons. Both extend the party experience to the road, with in-band activities on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, blurring the line between venue-based parties and street parade catered parties.
aAt the other end of the spectrum are all-inclusive festivals. Premium all-you-can-eat and drink party with live entertainment. It’s a kind of endless aspirational experience, and some all-inclusives spare no expense on food, drink, decor, and atmosphere.
“white [clothing] “This event has always been a classic, popular and well-attended event in Trinidad,” said Colin Abraham, founder and former creative director of the white-and-green themed Hyatt Lime, on the Wednesday before Carnival. Masu.
“As well as liberating people from the norm, we pride ourselves on the fact that our wide variety of cuisine and service appeals to locals and foreigners alike.” explains Curtis Popplewell, founder of Beach House. Thursday before Carnival. His innovative team has transformed locations such as abandoned pools and waste sugar factories into upscale party spaces.
The pair operates with the understanding that the new, sophisticated palates of carnival partygoers demand unlimited champagne, lobster, lamb chops and chef delicacies. The inclusive festival model is very popular for cross-branding with companies, establishing business opportunities, and raising funds for educational institutions.
As you can see, food and drinks, jolts and grog become unique elements for a successful Carnival festival. The location and the almost indescribable feeling, the atmosphere. — It also became decisive in branding the festival as winners or losers.
Of course, performers such as soca artists, bands, and DJs with high-energy publicity men can also make or break a carnival extravaganza. Mikal Teja — The 2024 Road March winner reportedly performed at nearly 12 festivals a day last season.
Trends and fashions come and go, but the evolved Trinidad Carnival celebration is timeless. Fete brands such as Soca Brainwash, Stink + Dutty and Bacchanal Road have become “must-attend” events that can be exported throughout the Caribbean, to cities in North America and even the Middle East.
Morning, noon and night, the party continues past midnight on Carnival Tuesday. The vibes are complete!
