Carnival Minister, queens and contestants attend church service

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 19TH 2011 (CUOPM) – Minister of Culture, Hon. Marcella Liburd led members of the National Carnival Committee in attending Mass at the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral on Sunday 16th October.

Miss St. Kitts contestants (left to right) – Ms. Keeva Weekes, Ms. Trevicia Adams, Ms. Jody Carter, Miss Iantavian Queeley – reigning queen, Ms. Verlyn Williams, Ms. Markysa O’loughlin, Ms. Kalia Huggins and Minister of Culture, Hon. Marcella Liburd.

Also attending the Mass were the newly appointed Chairperson, Ms. Shannon Hawley; the reigning National Carnival Queen, Miss Iantavian Queeley and reigning Miss Teen Siobhan Phipps. Contestants for the upcoming Ms. National Carnival Pageant and Miss Teenage Pageant also attended the Mass. Last Saturday October 15th, the streets of Basseterre were overflowing with enthusiastic onlookers and participants in the launch of Sugar Mas’ 40:40.

The festivities began with a parade through the streets of Basseterre, which featured reigning Carnival winners from St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as, awareness groups: Reach for recovery Breast Cancer Support Group, the Elderly, National Youth Parliament, Patriotic Troupe, Beaumont Park Girls, the under 23 Netball Team, and other Folklore and Entertainment groups.

The parade culminated on Bank Street where a lively ceremony was held. At this ceremony the Minister with responsibility for Carnival, Hon. Marcella Liburd welcomed the massive gathering, enthusiastically, thanked the Sponsors who have come on board to date and encouraged everyone to participate in this Carnival’s milestone – its 40th anniversary.

The new Chairperson Ms. Shannon Hawley revealed that the launch was “only the first of many teasers that the Committee has in store for this year’s Sugar Mas 40:40.” She further outlined a number of new events being introduced for this year’s 40th Anniversary such as a Youth Rally, Carnival Arts in Splendour Art and Photography Exhibition, Basseterre Alive Street Fair, Prince and Princess Scholarship Pageant and a Band Clash.

Minister of Culture, Executive members of the Carnival Committee and contestants

The Carnival Grand Marshall, Ms. Hyacinth Percival Rawlins better known as “Baby,” who has been involved in Carnival over the past 60 years was introduced and despite her age wowed the crowd were her agility to a calypso favourite.

In addition to the captivating performances by the reigning Junior Calypso King “Leo,” Queen Anastasia, King Meeko and King Hollywood, the reigning Senior Calypso Monarch King Pungwa ended the night with an entrancing performance giving his fans a teaser of his new 2011 calypso “Super Man.”

The six National Carnival Queen Pageant “Rubies” made their 1st expertly choreographed public appearance to a roaring round of applause from eager fans as well as the five charming National Talented Teen contestants representing Saddlers, Washington Archibald, Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Charles E Mills and Basseterre High Schools.

This year’s slogan “40:40 Non Stop Mas and Party” was revealed as well as the official calendar of events stretching over 40 days in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of National Carnival. Sugar Mas’ is scheduled from November 25th to January 3rd 2012.

Additional information and pictures of this event are available by logging on to the St Kitts & Nevis National Carnival Face book page (www.facebook.com/SKNCarnival) and the official website, www.stkittsneviscarnival.com. Interested persons can also email the carnival secretariat at info@stkittsneviscarnival.com or call the office at 467-1275 and 467- 1539.