Mark your calendars! El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro is around the corner!
We're excited to announce our FIRST EVER Carnaval Parade followed by our Annual Carnaval Fiesta!
We are inviting all businesses and anyone interested in forming a group or float and be a part of the parade. If you are interested in signing up or to find out more details on the parade, call us at the San Pedro Town Council office, 2262198. Also, anyone interested in having a bar or food booth for the Carnaval Fiesta, kindly sign up by calling our office. Awards will be given to Best Carnaval decorated Booth and Best Carnaval Inspired Drink.
Let's keep on the tradition of El Gran Carnaval and make it bigger and better every year!
Paint or Be Painted: Visit Ambergris Caye in March for Totally Unique Carnival!
Mardi Gras or Carnival, the holiday is celebrated around the world. The festivus of eating, drinking and naughtiness before the beginning of Lent.
Different places do different things�we all know about the celebration in New Orleans or in Rio (Brazil attracts 70% of its tourists during this week alone!) but in San Pedro, it's been going on for decades and it is totally unique.
I mean CRAZY different. I've said before that Belize is not just any beach destination. BELIZE IS SO SPECIAL for these 9 Reasons to Start With�
Carnaval is at the top of this list. This is a festival that's been held for decades - before San Pedro had tourists. Get covered in paint with local kids, dance in the park, drink Belikin beers on a dock and then take a dip in ocean. Everyone is involved. Even our traffic guys.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Scoop
As the highly anticipated 'El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro' draws near, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has released the schedule of activities taking place in 2019. The newest addition to the lineup is a fabulous Caranaval Parade that will usher in the Carnaval spirit and set the tone for the weekend of activities. El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro 2019 will kick-off at 5pm on Saturday, March 2nd with the new Carnaval Parade. It is expected to begin from Boca del Rio Area and culminate at Honorable Louis Slyvestre Sporting Complex where a Carnaval Fiesta immediately follows. Different booths will be selling delicious food and drinks. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Carnaval booth, and the Best Carnaval Inspired drink.
El Gran Carnaval will also have its traditional colorful comparsas through the main streets of San Pedro, and the painting jump-up at Central Park from Sunday, March 3rd to Tuesday, March 5th.
El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro 2019 will officially finish on Wednesday, March 6th with the burning of Juan Carnaval, where islanders gather at the Central Park to participate in the reading of Juan Carnaval's will. Afterward, the burning of his body takes place. It is a traditional island practice believed to expel bad luck and negative vibes from the island. Any business or person interested in having a group/ float in the Carnaval Parade, having a bar/food booth at the Carnaval Fiesta or participate in any other event of El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro can visit the SPTC office or call 226-2198. Let's keep the tradition of El Gran Carnaval going and make it bigger and better!
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
Parades, Dancing and Colored Paints: This is how we celebrate! Keeping the tradition alive, plans for the El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro are already underway! The usual celebration to usher in the Lenten Season has been extended to five days of cultural fun, music and dance.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 2nd for the start of the festivities with the first ever Carnaval Parade. Starting at 5PM, colorfully decorated floats with a trail of dancers will parade down town core as they make their way to Central Park for the Annual Carnaval Fiesta. "What to expect at the fiesta?" - Delicious local food, ice cold drinks and cocktails and the best live entertainment in town!
The San Pedro Town Council is preparing for their annual Carnival
The San Pedro Town Council is preparing for their annual Carnival. "Mejorando la Tradicion" takes place from 2-6th March. Hector Alamilla, Councilor responsible for Events, talked with us about what visitors can expect for this year's event.
El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro is back, and for the next two days, the streets of downtown San Pedro will be filled with music, folklore and paint. This year's festivities, which are held to usher in the 40-day Lenten Season, began on Saturday, March 2nd, with its first ever Canaval Parade followed by a block party at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex. So far the annual celebration has included one comparsas (dancing groups) presentation and a kids carnival foam party at the Central Park. Held under the theme 'Mejorando la Tradicion,' the event is organized by The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC).
The opening parade on Saturday saw Don Juan Carnaval leading the parade, followed by 'El Torito,' a carriage with current Miss San Pedro 2018-2019 Chelsea Mu�oz and other former island beauty ambassadors. The parade also saw a float with the Reinas del Carnaval, the dynamic Carnaval band Titans from Belize City, the presence of various animated movie characters and the non-profit organization Nayobie's Hope for Children.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
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Is The Carnaval Comparsa Dying Out?
Only one comparsa (street dancing group) graced the streets of downtown San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize on the first day of the island's cultural celebration of Carnaval. Does this signal the start of a dying tradition? Many are afraid that it just might be, as the number of comparsas during the festivitiesl have dropped significantly throughout the years. Only a couple groups are holding on tight to the age-old tradition, not wanting to see it die out completely.
The comparsas are a lot of fun, but they are a lot of work. The group members tire out from dancing up to 5 hours for three consecutive days. All are volunteers who take time off from work to prepare and perform during Carnaval. Their slapstick comedy, vibrant costumes and wacky dancing is what makes the San Pedro Carnaval so unique. In years gone by, street-side spectators and residents on their verandahs were treated up to six or seven comparsas, each raising funds for a particular charity or school project.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos and videos of Carnaval in the Ambergris Today
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