Jesson & Co / MNI Alive
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) is inviting Canadians to experience, not one, but two Caribbean Carnivals this summer. With expanded accessibility via mid-week flights from WestJet, Canadians can take in the sights, sounds, and pageantry of Carnival Monday (August 5) and Carnival Tuesday (August 6) in Antigua and Barbuda after having enjoyed The Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) Grand Parade on August 3 - and be back in Canada before the end of the week.
“Visitors to The Caribbean are perhaps familiar with the concept of island-hopping, but Antigua and Barbuda is excited to offer carnival-hopping,” said ABTA Director of Tourism, Canada Tameka Wharton. “With new Wednesday flights from WestJet this summer, Canada and Antigua and Barbuda have never been so connected - adding two premiere, international celebrations of Caribbean culture to one vacation itinerary is now a tantalizingly real opportunity.”
On Monday, August 22, The ABTA invited Canadians to a fun Toronto event at Prohibition Social House on Queen Street East. Representatives from Antigua and Barbuda were joined by winners of Flow 98.5 FM’s radio and social contest, diaspora Antiguans and Barbudans, and several content creators and guests. The ABTA will escort this diverse group down to Antigua and Barbuda for three days of Carnival fun (following the Toronto Caribbean Festival) from August 4 through August 7, putting the Carnival-hopping concept to the test.
“I’m excited to personally dress up in costume and discover what the Caribbean Carnival experience is all about,” said Patrice Lander, who is travelling with her sister Kurlysha, the winner of the Flow 98.5 contest who will be travelling to Antigua and Barbuda. “I think for all the differences from Toronto’s Carnival, what unites them both is the freedom to be yourself and truly embrace the culture.”
While Canadians are undoubtedly familiar with the vivid colours and energetic dancing of The Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Antigua and Barbuda’s Carnival is also not to be missed. This 13-day fete puts the culture and heritage of this Caribbean dual-island nation on full display, with tasty treats at food stalls, dazzling parades, soulful soca and calypso music, and a mesmerizing masquerade. Antigua and Barbuda’s carnival begins July 25 and runs until August 6, with highlights including:
- Queen of Carnival Pageant (Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 8 p.m.)
- Opening of Carnival Parade (Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 3 p.m.)
- Druesday: Paint + Water + Soca (Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 8 p.m.)
- Last Lap (Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 7 p.m.)
- The Parade of the Bands (Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at midnight)
“Antigua and Barbuda’s Carnival is one of the few that hasn’t been influenced by commercialization,” said Antiguan-Canadian Akua Delfish. “It’s all about local bands, local music, and the traditional Carnival experience - and 2024’s edition is shaping up to be the biggest since the pandemic.”
WestJet will be operating twice-a-week direct flights (Sundays and Wednesdays) from Toronto’s YYZ to ANU in St. John’s, Antigua for the remainder of summer 2024, empowering Canadians to easily access both Caribbean festivals.
