St. Maarten Carnival 2007 - April 21st to May 5th - Jammin' 24-7 for Carnival 2007

Our unique concept of carnival has the only "Carnival Village which is a main focal point for the season's festivities that has several booths selling food and drinks and surrounding a stage on which shows are held nightly. The coveted annual event is a public celebration generally during the carnival season, with a combination of international and local food and drinks, that displays the culture, music, dance and the ability of our natives and guests of the Friendly Island St. Maarten to have fun in the sun.

This year, St. Maarten Carnival Development (SCDF) President, Ms. Fabiana Arnell promises an event that will rival those of the past 38 years.

In its thirty ninth year of existence St. Maarten's carnival has consistently provided numerous opportunities for social interaction of various kinds, and with more than 100 different ethnic groups gathered together to share in the festivities, it boasts some of the many features that makes the island "the melting pot of the Caribbean."

During the 18 days of the festivities planned for this year's carnival celebration, revellers and enthusiasts can witness and participate in parades, "jump-ups" along with local and international concerts and enjoy the island's local cuisine which sets it apart from any other island in the Caribbean. As an added bonus to Carnival lovers visiting our shores, hotel operators have designed special rates to ensure an economically favourable and fun filled vacation.

The venue, formerly known as the Carnival Village is being transformed, to create a "Festival Village" that provides more added value to the event and although there are less booths than over the last couple of years, SCDF promises no shortage of its "finger licking" foods such us Johnny cakes, salt fish, conch soup, dumplings and of course the traditional BBQ chicken legs and spare ribs. Once the booths are opened, many of the booth holders will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to many other delicacies.

Carnival is known worldwide as an event that promotes lots of dancing, eating and drinking, and while St. Maarten's Carnival boasts the largest variety in tax free alcoholic beverages to help with the enjoyment, SCDF insists on responsible drinking and strongly opposes underage drinking.

The scheduled events for this year's celebration include eleven (11) local events and seven (7) international concerts that will attract thousands to the island and to the St.Maarten Festival Village. Come and enjoy the rhythms of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Dance hall, R&B, Zouk, Kompa, Meringue, Bachata, Salsa and Reggaeton live on stage featuring both local and international performers.

The Senior Road March competition returns to the stage for the Fourth consecutive year now, and the Junior Calypso and Junior Road March competitions will be combined for one exciting show again this year. Our "Youth Extravaganza," (Our local youth night) will highlight a wide range of local young talent from the island -representing both French and Dutch- .

Annually, the twin Federation Island of French and Dutch St. Maarten hosts a joint Unity Jump Up, and both sides take turns to have the event started on their side. This year the Unity Jump-up was hosted by the CTC (French Carnival Committee) in January. The Unity-Jump-up featured several local bands playing their latest soca and calypso hits, while being followed by thousands of carnival revellers. On behalf of the SCDF and the CTC we thank all bands, revelers, bystanders and contracters who were involved. A special thank you to the Police Forces and Ambulance Personnel of both Dutch and French St.Maarten, not forgetting the St. Maarten Red Cross volunteers, Sherrif Security Force N.V., Meadowlands N.V. and the committee members of both the SCDF and the CTC. If you have contributed and you are not mentioned, we thank you from the bottom of hearts.

Other street Jump-up celebrations include the Opening Jump Up (Thursday, April 17th), the ever popular jouvert' Jump-up around the Great Salt Pond (Saturday April 26 @ 4:00am) and the last lap /Closing Jump-up (Saturday May 3).

Carnival officially ends every year with the burning of "King Momo." Legends have foretold that King Momo takes the sins committed during carnival with him, leaving the island pure once again.

We thank all local and international media houses, individuals, troupe leaders, revelers, calypsonians, artistes, booth holders, band leaders and band members, on-lookers, SCDF contracters, sponsors, contributors and committee members for their continuous support and assistance.

St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation hereby extends a warm invitation to first time and return visitors and carnival contributors to its 39th Annual St. Maarten Carnival Festivities April 17th to May 3rd 2008.

St. Maarten Carnival 2008, Let's make it great!

Have a Safe and Great Carnival!