The inaugural Junior Batabano Carnival was a spectacular event

The first ever Junior Batabano Carnival was a great success this weekend as thousands of people turned out to watch the youngsters parade and support them in the first junior song contest.

Richard Bartholomew a costume designer from the true home of carnivals — Trinidad, was instrumental in ensuring that Junior Batabano looked as good as possible with his help in designing the youngsters’ costumes.

While Batabano has traditionally held a street parade for adults which featured younger residents, this year was the first time the youngsters had a parade all to themselves and they made the most of it as they danced their legs off, all around George Town.

The capital’s streets were alive with true carnival colour and spirit and the kids did themselves proud.
The inaugural junior parade started at 3:30 pm in front of the Glass House in George Town. It then looped around the town and returned to the Glass House where Family Fun Day activities were held on the Glass House lawns including bouncy castles, cotton candy and face painting. There were also special appearances from Mickey Mouse and Sponge Bob.

The first junior song competition was also a great success and the popular winner was Shari Espeut.
This weekend as the festival switches to the adults on Friday evening 12 May, fans are promised one of Cayman’s premiere parties this year as Byron Lee and the Dragonaires  play to a sell-out crowd at Safe Haven at the Friday Night Fete and Batabano celebrations will culminate on Saturday 13 May, with the Adult Street Parade from West Bay Road to George Town.