Dear Source,
Some may have the wrong impression about V.I. Carnival and the threat of cancellation."
Carnival as a West Indian tradition can never be cancelled due to the lack of government money. See, the essence of the festival is masquerade or mas' and revelry. In the Virgin Islands this revelry is displayed with two elements: something we call Carnival Village and the parades of mas'. Both elements take place in the public, on public property and for the public. They are staged by participants. The government does not fund the participants.
The only way Carnival per se, would fail to occur is if the participants — revelers — decide not to show up; not play mas', not eat, drink, and be merry in the streets or the "Village."
Now, the more organized events in the field" that have come to be part of an enhanced Carnival — Calypso Tents, Brass-o-rama, etc. — which have required supplemental cash funding from the Government, are what face the threat of cancellation.
But these elaborate productions are not necessarily Carnival.
Since the beginning, Rain don't stop de carnival….
See you Carnival Saturday in full mas'!
Roas-a-time!
Steve Bornn
St. Thomas
