Cayman Carnival Junior Batabano will be on the road again this weekend, featuring a costume parade, Family Fun Day and other activities.
The theme for this year’s costumes is ‘Ah Hearing Drums’ and spectators will see colourful depictions of tambourines, steel drums, congas, bongos and much more.
WendyAnn George, Junior Batabano coordinator for over 20 years, said in a press release announcing the event, which will be held on Saturday, 22 April, “Approximately 400 children comprising of six schools and newcomers Party Animals Junior Group will be playing ‘mas’.
“We are pleased that the Edna Moyle Primary School will be joining us again, after a very long absence. Other participating schools are Sir John A Cumber Primary, Cayman International School, St. Ignatius Catholic School, Prospect Primary and Joanna Clarke Primary.”
Once again, the groups will be competing for four trophies.
Donna Myrie, chair of Cayman Carnival Batabano, said, “Cayman Carnival Batabano is a Caymanian Carnival. As our organization continues to highlight aspects of our Caymanian culture and heritage within the carnival celebration, we are naming our trophies after our National Symbols.”
The first-place school will receive the Silver Thatch trophy for Band of the Year, second place is the Wild Banana Orchid trophy and third place is the Green Sea Turtle Trophy. The school that exhibits the Spirit of Batabano will receive the Grand Cayman Parrot trophy.
There will be a Family Fun Day on the lawn of the Old Glass House, with games, activities, music, and food and drink on sale.
The schools have been practising their dance moves and spectators can see the finale of the costumed parade as the children perform their well-choreographed dances on stage and on the streets of George Town.
There will also be a Teen Glow Teen Dance, at which the young attendees are invited to wear white and glow on the dance floor. The dance starts at 7pm and ends at 10:30pm.
The public is invited to come out and enjoy Cayman Carnival Junior Batabano on 22 April, from 2pm to 6pm. The Family Fun Day begins at 2pm and the costumed street parade starts at 4pm.
The adult Batabano parade, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, will be held on Saturday, 6 May, when it will return to its traditional route from Seven Mile Public Beach to George Town’s historic waterfront, starting at 1pm.
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