Waiting to Exhale … on Wednesday

This is it … we have arrived at the Carnival weekend. By the time we all get back to normalcy and settle down (say, Wednesday of next week) it will have all been put behind us and fall into the category of “our History”.
It promises to be an interesting one. Tonight, we go to Mindoo Phillip Park to what has turned into a very predictable Calypso Monarch competition. The entire country seems to have already decided that Herb Black, with his popular “Suzette”, will be the one to come away with the crown. So much so, that one wonders whether the attending crowd will want to listen to the other contenders … or whether, like they did at the Groovy Soca competition, they will practically chase the others off stage, expressing the apparent desire to listen to and sing along with their “chosen one” for the duration of the show.
The “Suzette” phenomenon is so overwhelming that one is inclined to ask, “Why bother to have a contest at all?” It is to be hoped however, that Herb’s protagonists manage to surprise us all and make a real contest out of the event.

The Band Competition and Parade on Monday and Tuesday are also events to be looked forward to, having formed the object of a great deal of controversy in recent days, ever since the route to be followed was announced. The pros and cons of the length and situation of the route (from Choc to Castries) is one that has been debated ad nauseam and it now only remains to be seen whether those who made the decision were well- or ill-advised.
And also, as happens every year since the observation of the celebration was changed from its pre-Lent date to one in July, the uncertainty of the weather in this Hurricane/rainy season always is a factor that could affect the enjoyment of the event for revellers and spectators alike.
All in all, this Carnival will certainly have its unique character and the votes as to its success or otherwise will only be in for sure on Wednesday, to be counted and discussed by those of us who will still have some little leftover energy to do so.
The VOICE wishes all St. Lucians a happy and safe Carnival.