CARNIVAL 2024 is poised to surpass last year’s success, drawing more visitors to the island and attracting increased participation from carnival bands. Tamara Gibson, Chairperson of the Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC), expressed optimism about the upcoming event.
“We expect a bumper crowd for 2024 …and we really are looking to capitalize on this,” Chairperson of the Carnival Planning and Management Committee ,Tamara Gibson said on Thursday night.
She emphasized on the vibrant display of colours and dynamic, artistic and cultural presentations that will captivate both locals and visitors.
“All the bands have increased their numbers tremendously ,” Gibson said, adding that she anticipates a larger number of visitors, this year, since the bands are booked and flights are filled.
Addressing concerns about costume designs, Gibson clarified that the CPMC encourages creativity and inclusivity. Designers have the freedom to create costumes that cater to diverse revelers’ preferences.
“Carnival is about inclusivity and it’s for all, so there is a niche or a section for everyone in carnival,” declared Gibson.
She added that the CPMC would never attempt “to tell creativities how to create.”
Each band has its unique target market, offering various costume dimensions-from full suits to trendy two-piece ensembles. While some materials may be imported, local designers still contribute significantly to the carnival’s visual spectacle.
Ms Gibson, the daughter of the renowned Saint Lucian costume designer, stated that the public should dispel the “false misrepresentation” about the lack of local costume designers on the island and that they mostly import material from overseas.
“There are quite a few local persons who still create costumes for the bands,” the chairperson said. “There are some bands whose back-packs are made right here. There are producers, such as Rafetti, who produces swim suits for quite a few of the bands and he has been doing that for several years.”
She added: “There are many local designers and some of the bands are still producing their costumes locally. Some of them may be going overseas (to purchase) for the body wear, but a lot of the feather work and the frames are still done locally.”
Tamara Gibson also highlighted efforts to involve more people in costume building. The Carnival Bands Association (CBA) plans workshops for costume designers, ensuring a successful and enriching carnival experience.
On the funds and resources allocated for this year’s carnival, the chairperson said that the returns have been good and it paid huge dividends. She said, last year at least 18,000 visitors came to Saint Lucia for carnival, a number which is expected to double this year, and several persons benefited from the festivity, including hotels, taxi drivers, restaurants and “everywhere was buzzing with people.”