Cruise ship visitors get a taste of Tobago Carnival

Scores of visitors from the cruise ship MV Ventura joined with Tobagonians on Monday to take in the colourful cast of characters who paraded through the streets of Scarborough on Monday for the launch of Tobago Carnival 2019. The parade began at James Park, uptown Scarborough, with Chairman of the Tobago Festivals Commission, George Leacock leading the masqueraders

Traditional mas characters - Dame Lorraines, black and blue devils, sailors, midnight robbers, and speechband players – joined participants in the upcoming Interdepartment Personality and Calypso competition on February 21, in the procession which ended at the Festivals Commission office, at GNV Place, opposite Market Square, for official proceedings.

Tourism Secretary Nadine Stewart Phillips described the spectacle of the launch as a sign of what was to come for the Carnival celebrations. She said the launch was planned to coincide with the visit of the cruise ship so the visitors would experience the local culture firsthand.