The traditional island celebration, ‘El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro,’ takes place February 18th through the 21st, with big parties, street dances (comparsas), and painting. The annual celebration will also include a Carnaval market day at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex, where events like a cocktail competition will be held.
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) invites islanders to participate in this year’s festivities. Bartenders participating in the cocktail competition can compete for the grand cash prize of $1,000. According to details from the SPTC organizing the event, the competition will involve two rounds of judging and two signature cocktails. Additionally, one of the cocktails presentations must include a carnaval theme.
One of the highlights of El Carnaval is the street dances or comparsas. The colorful and entertaining procession attracts hundreds of island residents and tourists throughout the three-day celebration. This year, the SPTC invites adults and schools to participate in the traditional activity. There will be a cash prize of $1,000 for the first-place adult comparsa and $500 for the winning school comparsa.
The island carnaval dates back to the mid-1800s, usually ending on Ash Wednesday, at the beginning of the 40-day lent season. The celebration closes with Don Juan Carnaval’s burning, the festival’s patron. This practice is believed to rid the island of bad energy, attracting prosperity to San Pedro Town.
Anyone interested in participating in the comparsas or the cocktail competition should contact Charles Mejia at 674-3003.
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