DESTINATIONS CARIBBEAN | SAINT LUCIA
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Dressed to impress; parading in glorious colour; Tiah Arnold joins the party; Sandals Grande St Lucian
PICTURES: Ronald Raoul; CK Photography; Luke Forsythe expertexper ASK THE “We’ve been selling Saint
Lucia for more than 40 years. Carnival has become more
well known since the pandemic and we’ve seen an increase in bookings. We get a lot of enquiries from groups and friends who love the idea of a vibrant festival where they can have fun, be safe and
season runs from July 1-23, when there will be events, concerts and parties happening around the island. The two parade days will take place on Monday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 23.
In Saint Lucia, Monday is the bigger day, when
groups of masqueraders (called ‘bands’) in sparkly costumes dance past a panel of judges. Tuesday is a more relaxed affair, with loosely themed – yet still daring – outfits.
FESTIVE ISLAND
Advise clients to arrive at least a week before the main parade, so they can take their pick of the lead-up events (tickets often sell fast, so book ahead). One of the most famous is Colour Me Red, held on Pigeon Island – a heritage-filled spot also known for hosting the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. It sees a rush of colour on the Friday before carnival, with partygoers dressed top-to- toe in rouge to watch Saint Lucian soca and fast-paced Dennery segment (a new genre influenced by electronic music and unique to the island) artists take the stage. There are also plenty of official events to put on your
clients’ radars. On a warm Saturday night in Castries, the stalls of a sports ground become the stands for the Calypso Monarch final, in which Caribbean calypso artists take 10 minutes of stage time to win the audience’s (and the judges’) favour.
Calypso can be a form of satire, some of it very
on-the-nose: last year’s carnival was close to the start of the Paris Olympics, so a man in a blue shell suit
36 20 MARCH 2025
GET THE PARTY STARTED On Monday, as the Carnival approaches its climax, lorries carrying sound systems, carts hauling champagne and clusters of costumed dancers gather at a roundabout north of Castries to begin the three-mile parade route. Amid the sea of feathers, I eagerly look out for people dressed in the pastel colours that my band, Legends, has picked to reflect its ‘sweet fantasy’ theme. As I sip the first of many iced rum punches – drinks tokens form part of the essentials provided with costume kits, along with coolers, snacks and even paracetamol – a delightful cacophony competes for my attention. One band’s MC gets his troupe to step in time with the music, while our hype man encourages us to get involved: “When I say Legends, you say carnival!” The truck moves at a steady pace along the scenic
coast road, past calm seas and sandy beaches perfect for capturing carnival selfies. It’s quieter at this end of the route, so if your clients simply want to spectate, they will have a prime viewing point at Choc Beach. We turn inland at Vigie Beach, where the George F L Charles airport runway touches the road; resourceful dancers cling to the chain-link fence and use it to twerk in time with the drums. Speaking of twerking, another highlight of the route
used a spoof of the Eiffel tower and Olympic rings as props. Another artist, Saint Lucia’s own up-and-coming Gumption, quipped about a loss of faith in politicians and soon had the crowd singing along with him.
experience the culture. Most people stay for at least two weeks, which gives time to enjoy the festivities, parties and parade days, and then some time at the end to relax. My advice when selling the carnival to first-timers would be to encourage them to book as far ahead as possible. We’d also recommend that they select only one or two private events, so they can make time for the official events and
explore the beautiful island.” Laverne Walker, director, Sackville Travel
BOOK IT
Sandals sells a seven-night all-inclusive stay at Sandals Grande St Lucian from £2,699 per person, based on two sharing. Includes flights from Gatwick departing July 16, premium drinks and island transfers.
sellingsandals.co.uk
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Saint Lucia Carnival has an official website with a list of all participating bands and their contact details, which agents can use to plan. Expect prices of £400-plus to participate.
carnivalsaintlucia.com
travelweekly.co.uk
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