Couva Carnival action begins on Saturday

Defending monarchs, Georgia McIntyre (Senior) and N’Janela Duncan-Regis (Junior) who registered a historic beaver trick in 2016, have indicated they would be pulling out all stops to retain their titles.

Wilton “Flex” Griffith, co-ordinator of the calypso element, said that the customary contenders for the competitions have been fine-turning their offerings for the 2017 season. “Both senior and junior calypsonians who have participated in the show in past years have been calling to find out the date for auditions. We expect a full-turn out and a high standard of calypsoes since most of them have already done their recordings,” Griffith said in a media release.

Ramchand Rajbal Maraj, chairman of the Couva Carnival Committee (CCC), said he expected Carnival celebrations to be as “bright as ever” despite the downturn in the economy. “Although our allocation from the National Carnival Commission (NCC) was drastically reduced in 2016, we were still able to deliver a fantastic show last year. However, Couva cannot sustain another cutback in 2017. Our celebrations are unique among regional carnivals and people come from all over Trinidad and Tobago and further afield to savour the Couva Carnival experience. We are pushing the envelope this year to deliver,” Rajbal Maraj asserted.

He said the committee had planned its customary six-day carnival extravaganza for 2017, with several pre-carnival events also in store. “We are making a special appeal to the corporate entities in Couva and environs which benefit from the patronage of the various communities to step up to the plate and deliver on their social responsibilities. They need to give back. We cannot do this alone,” Rajbal Maraj pointed out.

Following is the calendar of events, with the major shows taking place at Carnival Centre, Couva Car Park: January 21, 10 am - auditions for Calypso Monarch Competitions (Senior & Junior), Balmain Community Centre February 17, 5 pm - sponsorship for contestants of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant, Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber Hall February 18, 11 am - motorcade of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant February 23, 7 pm - Tuco South/Central Calypso Tent February 24, 7 pm - Calypso Monarch Finals (Senior & Junior) and Extempo Competition February 25, 7 pm - finals of Miss Central Trinidad Queen Pageant February 26, 1 pm - Kiddies Carnival February 27, 5 am - J’ouvert February 27, 7 pm - Monday Nite Mas and King & Queen of the Bands Competitions February 28, 11 am - parade of the Bands & Band of the Year Competition.