ST. THOMAS — With the VI Carnival (St. Thomas Carnival) events beginning on April 1 and ending on May 4 with the Adults Parade, concerns regarding this year’s parade activities have been making the rounds amongst carnival stakeholders, amid talk of a possible parade route reverse.
For clarification, The Consortium reached out to VI Carnival Committee Excutive Director Halvor Hart III. Mr. Hart confirmed that while there have been discussions about reversing the parade route — which would see troupes starting from the opposite end as compared to the current start point at the Western Cemetery — a decision on whether to reverse the route would not be made until early next week, when the committee is expected to meet with stakeholders, among them troupe owners, to discuss the matter.
Mr. Hart said the idea behind the potential route reverse is the possible easing of traffic. Asked whether it shouldn’t be an expectation that traffic will be heavy on the day of the territory’s biggest showcase of culture, Mr. Hart concurred, but said the committee simply wanted to improve the process.
Presently, troupes start at the Western Cemetery, parading all the way to Post Office Square in Charlotte Amalie, where they perform for cameras and dignitaries, before moving to Lionel Roberts Stadium. The new method would see the troupes starting at the Lionel Roberts Stadium and would arrive at the square much earlier.
If adopted, the change could drastically shorten carnival’s main presentation at the square, though revelers would continue feting until they arrive at the Western Cemetery.
Mr. Hart said a release will be issued following the meeting next week.
Tags: VI Carnival
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