By Darcel Choy Tuesday, February 2 2010

Downtown Carnival will officially launch on Thursday, Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown announced at the Port-of-Spain City Hall yesterday. Carib Brewery is the main sponsor this year. Brown said the street parade that usually precedes the official launch will start on upper Frederick Street, in the vicinity of Memorial Park, then makes its way to City Hall.

Pioneering steelband Neal and Massy All Stars, which celebrates its 75th anniversary, promoter and chairman of Caribbean Prestige Foundation William Munro and radio and television personality Allyson Hennessy will be honoured during the proceedings. Traditional Carnival will be launched on February 12 (Carnival Friday) with a parade at 12 noon.

“They will be coming from three points, Frederick Street from the vicinity of Memorial Park, Victoria Square and the South East schools. Also on that night, Pan Trinbago has asked for the use of the facilities at South Quay for the finals of the small and traditional steelbands,” he said. On February 13, the Junior Parade of Bands begins at 8 am and starts on the Brian Lara Promenade near St Vincent Street.

“On February 14, the Downtown Carnival Committee Junior Carnival competition commences at 1 pm. On February 15, the J’ouvert competition will go from 4 am to 9 am. Later in the day at 1 pm, Downtown Carnival Committee Parade of the Bands and the judging of the individuals will begin,” Brown said.

Brown appealed to bandleaders to have their bands on time to avoid delays in the parades on these days. “They have to honour what they have decided to do so we would not have to intervene. As well as spectators, they need to give the band the road, let the bands flow, so they can make their presentations,” he said.

He advised parents to pin name tags on their children with addresses and telephone numbers.

He also pleaded with J’ouvert bands which parade in residential areas, such as St Clair, not to deface properties nor the art murals on the walls of Queen’s Park Oval.