Saint Lucia is quickly earning a reputation for having one of the most enjoyable Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean. That sentiment was revealed in the latest survey of visitors who come to Saint Lucia every year for the July Festivities.

Up until 6 years ago, Saint Lucia’s Carnival was celebrated as a pre-Lenten event in February. The move to July meant more visitors to the Festival as the island would not have to compete with Trinidad and Tobago. This experiment has surely paid off, as statistics show a steady growth in arrivals for this period. Among the persons surveyed up to 2004, 59% were repeat visitors, mostly from the islands of Martinique, Barbados, Trinidad, Guadeloupe and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.What makes Saint Lucia Carnival unique is the presence of all cultural art forms like theatre, music, dance, song, costumes and drama and this year is no exception.

This year’s launch boldly features a myriad of local artistes; soca and calypso. This provides an avenue for local artistes to present their new music for the season. The capacity crowd is also introduced to the contestants vying for the Carnival Queen title.

The Carnival Bands give the audience a glimpse of their costumes when their models parade the stage and interested persons can sign up almost immediately with the band of their choice as booths are set up by the various Bands for that very purpose.

The official launch paves the way for the start of a series of related events like calypso competitions (national and inter-commercial), Panorama, Mas on the Derek Walcott Square in the day time and Square Jam at night, the Carnival Queen Pageant, Junior Carnival, j’ouvert, OECS Soca Monarch, Lucian Line Jam and the King & Queen of the Bands.

On Monday July 20th, the Carnival Bands return to the Mindoo Phillip Park to be judged and on Tuesday July 21st, they take to the streets of Castries for the last lap jam session. So how can you be part of this exciting spectacle of colour, music and revelry? Pack your bags, get to the airport and take the next flight out to the island paradise of Saint Lucia. There you will experience this truly extraordinary fiesta of color, gaiety, merriment, dancing, calypso and the pulsating rhythm of steel bands.

Everyone is welcomed and you’re sure to become one our many repeat visitors after taking in the action during this year’s Carnival, which promises to be even bigger and better. The Cultural Development Foundation along with The St. Lucia Tourist Board which are the main organizer of Saint Lucia Carnival, are ready to provide you with the information and assistance you need to make your stay here for Carnival a comfortable and enjoyable one.

See you in July!