ANTIGUA'S CARNIVAL 2002 OPENS WITH COLOURFUL PARADE "DOWNPOUR DID NOT STOP DE JAM"

St. John's, Saturday 27th July, 2002.......The event that has been billed as the "Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival" got off to a colourful start on Saturday afternoon when Antigua's 45th Carnival Season officially began with a colourful parade through the streets of the Capital, St. John's.

Led by Grand Marshal, Ms. Judie Labadie, the parade featured the Majorettes, the Queen of Carnival Contestants, the Roller Bladers Troupe, the Westside Symphony Steel Orchestra, and several troupes from a number of schools participating in the Children's Carnival among others, who made their way, despite a heavy downpour, to the famous Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) now known as Carnival City, to hear an address by Carnival Committee Chairman, Arthur Thomas, who declared the season open.

Carnival this year runs from July 27th to August 6th. The full programme of events can be read on the internet by login on to www.antiguacarnival.com 

This year's festive activities include the popular Jaycees Caribbean Queen Show, the Calypso Monarch Competition, The Queen of Carnival Show, the Children's Carnival, the Female Calypso Show, the Miss & Mister Teenage Show, the Big Carnival Parade, J'Ourvert and Last Lap just to name a few. Several other side-events will also be taking place during the festive season. 

Digital Photos of NGT