Curaçao and Aruba may be the epicentres of Carnival in February, and St. Maarten may be the place to be in April, but the small islands of St. Eustatius and Saba are the perfect destinations for a good summer Carnival.
Statia Summerfest 2010 will officially kick off today, Thursday, July 22, with the Opening Jump Up. Preceded by a band, revellers will start jumping as of 7:30pm. Under the slogan "Summertime Again, Come Join us at the Den", several international shows are planned, as well as a Queen Show on July 28, and Calypso Night on July 29.
J'Ouvert Morning is scheduled for July 31, at 4:00am, followed by the First Day Parade from Under the Hill to F.D. Roosevelt Airport, starting at 3:30pm.
Summerfest will be closed off on Sunday, August 1, with the Second Day Parade from the Police Station to the Monument-Festival Village, starting at 3:30pm, followed by the Last Lap and the burning of Prince Stupid at the Village.
Saba Summer Festival 2010 officially kicks off on Monday, July 26, with the Opening Night Jump Up at 7:30pm at the Carnival Village on Princess Juliana Sports Field. But festivities for Saba's 35th Carnival celebrations get underway Friday with a Caribbean Night Celebration, showcasing bands from Santo Domingo, Haiti and Miami at the Carnival Village.
Saba's Calypsonians will take centre-stage on Saturday, July 24, for the annual Calypso Show, before Saba gets a high-powered boost into Monday, July 26, with a Race Car Reflection and Jump Up beginning at Hell's Gate.
The official opening on Monday, July 26, will be marked with the Road March from Saba Medical School through The Bottom into the Carnival Village where the veterans of the Entyce Band are scheduled to ring in Carnival into the night.
Tuesday, July 27, will be International Night featuring Edwin Yearwood and members of Krosfyah Band headlining Soca Explosion 2010. The Rebels Band from St. Eustatius will also be part of Krosfyah's 20th anniversary celebration.
Wednesday, July 28, will be Local Talent and Culture Night featuring a talent show. Thursday, July 29, is Zook/Soca Night featuring Mr. Ruffy and the band Pure.
The final weekend of Saba Carnival 2010 will get underway with Dominican Night on Friday, July 30. It will feature the popular Windward Caribbean culture group WCK. After that band finishes playing at 3:00am, everybody heads up to Windwardside where the Entyce Band has a jump-up until about 8:00am.
Both Grand Parades are scheduled to start at 4:30pm, on Saturday, July 31, and Sunday, August 1, the final two days of the festival. Festivities will conclude with the burning of King Momo the night of Sunday, August 1.
