Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
CARNIVAL VILLAGE--The 2015 Carnival season officially came to an end last night with the burning of King Momo in Carnival Village at midnight.
King Momo was set alight by fire-dancer Jason Carter after revellers enjoyed one last jump-up to Carnival Village starting near Le Grand Marché, and listened to closing words by St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) President Michael Granger, Marketing Director Rolando Brison and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor.
Granger called it "the night we all dread," but said there would be many changes coming for next year's Carnival season, which he called "an infusion of culture," including bringing back a number of elements. He announced that the 2016 season would run April 14 to May 3.
The speakers thanked all sponsors, including title sponsor TelEm and others too numerous to list, as well as the hard-working volunteers, booth-holders, and all stakeholders that had made Carnival possible.
A number of prizes were given out by Granger, the Heineken girls and newly crowned Senior Queen Phausha Winklaar, courtesy of various sponsors. Adeline Gumbs, Leena Gumbs and Betty Peterson each won a season pass for next year's Carnival from Smirnoff, Black Label and Captain Morgan.
Anique Arrindell's booth 51 was named most creatively decorated booth and she was awarded NAf. 1,000 and a Heineken gift package.
The Jouvert Warriors were named the best Jouvert troupe and danced onto the stage in their Native American-themed costumes to collect their trophy. The same group also won last year.
For the biggest prize of the evening, Henry Job was picked at random through a raffle and won a new Hyundai I-30, courtesy of Fantasy Lottery.
