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has anyone been to carnival on st barts? if so,can you give some insight? how many days does it last? lots of parties? is gustavia the main attraction
- Thread starter Peter NJ
- Start date
KaraBrooks
Senior Insider
Re: carnival!!
We were there two years ago. It was a fun time. Not wild and crazy like you hear about on other islands (Trinidad/Tobago) but fun. Here are some of our pictures from the parade:
Carnival Pictures
I think you are right - it will be the 7th/8th of February in 2005.
There is usually a children's parade a few days before the carnival parade (just the kind of party info you were looking for, right?
)
We were there two years ago. It was a fun time. Not wild and crazy like you hear about on other islands (Trinidad/Tobago) but fun. Here are some of our pictures from the parade:
Carnival Pictures
I think you are right - it will be the 7th/8th of February in 2005.
There is usually a children's parade a few days before the carnival parade (just the kind of party info you were looking for, right?
)Re: carnival!!
Here is the schedule/calendar for Carnivale:
February '05 4 School Carnaval Parade -- in the streets of Gustavia
8 Carnival -- Beginning of Mardi Gras; costumed parade concluding with the burning of Vaval, at Shell Beach. Most businesses are closed.
9 Ash Wednesday -- Death of the Vaval, Shell beach.
Here is the schedule/calendar for Carnivale:
February '05 4 School Carnaval Parade -- in the streets of Gustavia
8 Carnival -- Beginning of Mardi Gras; costumed parade concluding with the burning of Vaval, at Shell Beach. Most businesses are closed.
9 Ash Wednesday -- Death of the Vaval, Shell beach.
JEK
Senior Insider
Re: carnival!!
We have been going for the last 5 years and love it! In addition to Kara and Seles fine advice, I'd add that you should get there very early and come into Gustavia from Lurin so you can park behind the Anglican or Catholic churches. The main road from St. Jean closes so the floats can assemble some time before the start of the parade (3PM SBH time). We come in at noon for a Marius Burger at Le Select, get the corner table with Marius and wait for the world to pass by! Only 5 paces to cold Caribes and warm Ti Punch!
We have been going for the last 5 years and love it! In addition to Kara and Seles fine advice, I'd add that you should get there very early and come into Gustavia from Lurin so you can park behind the Anglican or Catholic churches. The main road from St. Jean closes so the floats can assemble some time before the start of the parade (3PM SBH time). We come in at noon for a Marius Burger at Le Select, get the corner table with Marius and wait for the world to pass by! Only 5 paces to cold Caribes and warm Ti Punch!
julianne
Senior Insider
Re: carnival!!
Carnival in St. Barth's is a warm, wonderful island festival. Celebrations start a few weeks ahead when the Carnival band roams the streets of Gustavia on Sunday afternoons. On Carnival Day--Maundy Tuesday in St. Barth's; a different day in some of the other Caribbean islands-- (Tuesday, February 8, 2005 in St. B) most shops close at noon and everyone hangs out to watch the parade. As JEK said, the main road into Gustavia closes early (around 1:30 p.m.) so you should plan to come into town ahead of time to secure your parade-watching spot. Le Select is great but gets very crowded---it is less congested alomg the back of the harbor near the Anglican church & the big anchor. The parade assembles in Public and comes down the road past Le Repaire, turning in front of Le Select. The route is usually published a few days ahead in Le News--the route may change slightly this year since the traffic pattern has changed.The parade goes all the way to the other side of the harbor (La Pointe) and then reverses course and returns to the quay. The bands play into the night and there is much partying and dancing in the street near Le Select.
The costumes and floats in Carnival are very creative. For example, imagine a King Neptune float made of aluminum foil and scraps of aluminum. The pictures in the Photo Gallery give you some idea. Andy and his merry group from The Hideway generally represent a band or singing group (Blues Brothers, Beach Boys, ABBA)-- any hints as to what we may expect in 2005, Andy?! The parade moves very slowly as the floats stop every few yards to greet friends and fans along the way.
If you can schedule your vacation to be there for Carnival, you'll have many fabulous sights and sounds for your memory bank.
Julie
Carnival in St. Barth's is a warm, wonderful island festival. Celebrations start a few weeks ahead when the Carnival band roams the streets of Gustavia on Sunday afternoons. On Carnival Day--Maundy Tuesday in St. Barth's; a different day in some of the other Caribbean islands-- (Tuesday, February 8, 2005 in St. B) most shops close at noon and everyone hangs out to watch the parade. As JEK said, the main road into Gustavia closes early (around 1:30 p.m.) so you should plan to come into town ahead of time to secure your parade-watching spot. Le Select is great but gets very crowded---it is less congested alomg the back of the harbor near the Anglican church & the big anchor. The parade assembles in Public and comes down the road past Le Repaire, turning in front of Le Select. The route is usually published a few days ahead in Le News--the route may change slightly this year since the traffic pattern has changed.The parade goes all the way to the other side of the harbor (La Pointe) and then reverses course and returns to the quay. The bands play into the night and there is much partying and dancing in the street near Le Select.
The costumes and floats in Carnival are very creative. For example, imagine a King Neptune float made of aluminum foil and scraps of aluminum. The pictures in the Photo Gallery give you some idea. Andy and his merry group from The Hideway generally represent a band or singing group (Blues Brothers, Beach Boys, ABBA)-- any hints as to what we may expect in 2005, Andy?! The parade moves very slowly as the floats stop every few yards to greet friends and fans along the way.
If you can schedule your vacation to be there for Carnival, you'll have many fabulous sights and sounds for your memory bank.
Julie
tim
Moderator
Re: carnival!!
Canival in St. Barthelemy is indeed a time for imagination and ingenuity. I have friends who spend six months and thousands of dollars costuming one of the two significant dance troupes. They also spend weeks practicing their dance steps. There are others who wake up in the morning; put on diapers, leaves or whatever's at hand; and paint each others' bodies. Most who participate are well lubricated with Heinikens as Carnival has a long tradition of occuring on a singularly hot day.
Two memorable costumes involved one group who made their entire costumes out of old 45 rpm records. The other was an attractive young woman seated on the throne of an elaborate float whose costume consisted mostly of artfully applied body paint. Hmmm, let me think - which was my favorite?
Canival in St. Barthelemy is indeed a time for imagination and ingenuity. I have friends who spend six months and thousands of dollars costuming one of the two significant dance troupes. They also spend weeks practicing their dance steps. There are others who wake up in the morning; put on diapers, leaves or whatever's at hand; and paint each others' bodies. Most who participate are well lubricated with Heinikens as Carnival has a long tradition of occuring on a singularly hot day.
Two memorable costumes involved one group who made their entire costumes out of old 45 rpm records. The other was an attractive young woman seated on the throne of an elaborate float whose costume consisted mostly of artfully applied body paint. Hmmm, let me think - which was my favorite?
