“Belize Carnival 2000: Capture the Spirit”
It’s something we look forward to each year, whether we jump up or not. I’m talking about carnival, and believe it or not, this year’s carnival is just around the corner. On Wednesday we visited with Chairman of the Carnival Committee, Rene Villanueva Senior who reminded us that carnival is only as good as the people who participate.
Rene Villanueva, Chairman Carnival Committee
“Belize Carnival 2000: Capture the Spirit.”
Faralee Gabourel
“What kind of preparations did the carnival committee have to go through to make sure that this year’s carnival is a success?”
Rene Villanueva
“Well most of the work to ensure the success of this year’s carnival is left to the bands. The bands are really the ones who are the heart and soul of carnival and we work basically to make sure that everything is organized so that they can put on a good show.”
Faralee Gabourel
“I know that all the Carnival bands are anticipating the king and queen competition, give me a hint of some of the prizes.”
Rene Villanueva
“The prizes this year have been raised tremendously, well in all the categories. For the first time we have announced, prior to the commencement of the activities, we have announced the prizes and what the prizes will be. We have been able to do this thanks to the Belize Tourism Board, under whose auspices carnival will be held this year. And of course we will be doing fundraising as well to make sure that the targets are met. The Senior King and Queen Competition will carry as first place prize five thousand dollars. Last year it was just one thousand, five hundred dollars, so its up three thousand, five hundred dollars. The second place for Senior King and Queen again will be going up to three thousand dollars, its up from one thousand dollars, an increase of two thousand dollars. The third place, which is the first time that it’s officially being placed in the competition, because we have five senior bands this year, will be one thousand dollars, so that’s for the senior king and queen.”
Faralee Gabourel
“Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about this year’s carnival?”
Rene Villanueva
“Well just to encourage everybody to be a part of it. You know, carnival is fun and we want everybody to capture the spirit and join in the fun and let us have a very good carnival season.”
Villanueva also said that besides having the normal King and Queen Competition, this year there will be several contests including the first ever Miss Senior Carnival which will be held on August nineteenth. Carnival season this year starts off with a Downtown Carnival Fete on July thirtieth and other activities such as the Carnival Motorcade and Lotto Pick all leading up to Carnival Day which has been designated as September ninth.
