San Pedro celebrates Carnaval 2000

The Island Newspaper, Ambergris Caye, Belize            Vol. 10, No. 10            March 8, 2000

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Lions Club comparsa "Cubanitos"

As expected, the tradition continued as hundreds enjoyed one of the island's most awaited events - CARNAVAL. By midday on Sunday, numerous groups of young children emerged from different corners and side-streets armed with tins of paint and raw eggs. These hard-core Carnaval lovers had only one thing on their minds: to conquer the rest of the participants by painting them.

    Later in the afternoon the fun took on a more traditional side with the ever-popular comparsa. Once again members of the San Pedro Lions Club and friends of the club made sure to participate in Carnaval. Fidel Castro, (alias Alex Eiley) himself led the group of "Cubanitos" through the main streets of San Pedro. The group danced door-to-door, non-stop for over three hours. To spice up the comparsa, the Lions also incorporated the always comic "Bombas".

    Shortly after sunset the San Pedro Dance Company flooded the main streets of San Pedro as they officially opened Carnaval 2000 with a grand parade. For a moment people thought they were experiencing Rio de Janeiro Carnaval since the dancers were dressed in their newest and finest costumes to suit the festivities. From the Junior group to the Seniors, the members danced to live music stopping at Central Park where they continued to perform for the hundreds of spectators. Their presentations kept the crowd asking for more, so the ever- willing members of the Dance Company improvised and made an extra presentation.

Some of the many painted faces
    The second day of Carnaval brought with it more activity as many more participated. Sunday's small groups of painters now volumed to twice their size. The Lions Club comparsa, depicting the "Rancheritos" led by Pancho Villa, also grew in number. The final day of Carnaval was everything it was hoped to be. Massive amounts of children and adults took control of the streets of San Pedro in celebration of "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras" as they say in New Orleans. The Lions Club ended with a grand finale- presenting to the public the traditional comparsa, "El Torito".

    All Carnaval lovers then congregated at Central Park where a Painter's Parade was held. The San Pedro Town Council then awarded prizes for the participants. The San Pedro Lions Group Comparsa was awarded the overall prize for their participation in the three-day festivities. This makes the second year that the Lions Club was awarded this prize. Hundreds enjoyed Carnaval  in San Pedro-a tradition that keeps our culture alive and unique.



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