The idyllic, Dutch-influenced nation of St. Maarten is gearing up for its 44th Annual Carnival, which will take place April 18 - May 2.
Themed "Come, experience life,"the 2013 carnival is the island's largest celebration featuring colorful parades, pageants, musical performances and other activities culminating with the traditional "Burning of King Momo." St. Maarten's Carnival stands out among other regional celebrations due to the length of the carnival celebration and the way locals embrace participating vacationers who get swept away in the revelry.
The April Carnival Season is one of the most exciting times to be in the Caribbean as residents and visitors to St. Maarten can invoke their Carnival spirit long before the two-week festival officially begins with events and competitions held as early as April 17 including the Jr. Queen Show, Junior Road March & Calypso, Fete to Fitness Around Town Jump-Up, Teen & Senior Queen Cultural & Speech Competition, Rio Productions "Lightin' Up De Road" Parade and the Survivors Elementary School "Balloon Parade."
The official celebration begins on April 18 with the Opening of Carnival Village with festivities in high-gear until the Grand Carnival Parade on April 30 - one of the most exciting events of the season. But things will not slow down on May 1 as revelry carries over into the Second Day Parade, where participants will don vibrant costumes that depict local heritage as they move their feet to the rhythms of cultural songs. The Carnival Season culminates with the Closing Jump-Up and Burning of King Momo on May 2. It is said that the Burning of King Momo rids the island of its sins leaving it fresh and revived until next year's Carnival celebrations.
Musical performances for Carnival include such well-known acts as Busta Rhymes and Damian Marley.
The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is encouraging travelers planning a visit to St. Maarten coinciding with Carnival 2013 to book flights and accommodations early as rooms are expected to sell out, especially in the Philipsburg capital where the Carnival Village will be located.
Visit www.VacationStMaarten.com.