It's Carnival Time! Trinidad Carnival 2011

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is the ultimate street festival. This year's festivities will take place from March 7th-8th at Queens Park South.

Each and every year, thousands upon thousands of colorful, diverse and feathered masqueraders take to the streets of Trinidad and Tobago, and dance to the pulsating sounds of calypso and soca provided by DJ trucks. The attire required to join the party are sequins, feathers, glitter and plenty of body paint. There's no question that the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is the ultimate street festival.

This year's festivities will take place from March 7th-8th at Queens Park South. The cost? FREE! Although some concerts are ticketed and prices vary.

Carnival in Trinidad first had its origins by the French during their period of settlement in Trinidad in the late-18th century, the carnival was taken over by the ex-slaves after emancipation in 1838. They changed the costume balls and carriage rides into a frenzied street festival. Carnival also introduced “J’ouvert” (pronounced “Jouvay”).

J’ouvert or “ole mas” starts pre-dawn of Carnival Monday. People dance freely to calypso and soca, in tattered clothing, body paint, oil, chocolate and mud. The costumed mass in the streets arrives on Carnival Monday evening and Carnival Tuesday. Many of the large carnival bands provide masqueraders with all-inclusive packages and experiences. This includes, the price of the costume, access to mobile bars on Trucks with premium drinks, food, vanity areas and air-conditioned buses for the weary. There are hundreds of street and indoor fetes and parties. Competitions such as Panorama, and King and Queen of Carnival are popular. Also there are the finals of the steelband competition, the battles for the Soca and Calypso Monarch titles.

For Safety, and general traveling cautions, visitors are advised to leave all valuables at home when venturing out. Be sure to stay in groups. Do not tred down dark and lonely places. Keep your handbags and wallets at home if possible. And of course do not accept rides from strangers.

So you are going to Trinidad Carnival and you want to know which events to go to. Well, here are a list of events going on for Trinidad Carnival 2011:

CARNIVAL MONDAY 7th MARCH 2011
*Various pre-J’ouvert fetes – 2am
*  J’Ouvert (4am)
*  Parade of the Bands – bands meet at various locations at approximately 11am
Major Viewing areas & Judging points: Adam Smith Square, Downtown –South Quay, Piccadilly on the Greens, Queen’s Park South.
*  Monday Night Mas – St James & Woodbrook (8pm)

CARNIVAL TUESDAY 8th MARCH 2011
*  Parade of the Bands- bands meet at various locations at approximately 7:00am
Major Viewing areas & Judging points: Adam Smith Square, Downtown –South Quay, Piccadilly on the Greens, Queen’s Park South.
* Pan Trinbago Pan on the Road – Victoria Square and Downtown Port of Spain
* Pan Trinbago Las’ Lap – Western Main Rd, St James
* Various Las Lap fetes/events

As always, upon your return, feel free to Share Your Travel with IslandStylee!

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