By Vishani Ragobeer

WITH just about a week to go, persons are starting to feel the vibes for Guyana Carnival. For many, the events are a must-attend because of the hype they experienced last year, while for others, it’s because they missed the fun last year.

Patrick Benjamin Huntley, a student at the University of Guyana (UG), shared that last year he went to Kes’ ‘Tuesday on the Rocks’; Machel Montano’s concert; the Touchdown cooler fete; the Cool-out cooler fete and Tribe ignite.

“The experience was grand, especially the Kes show,” Huntley said, “It was an entirely new experience and it delivered.” And in delivering, he said, he believes that the cost for the events were moderate, and when it wasn’t; it was “worth it”.

“For this year’s carnival,” he said, “I’d like a greater level of organisation and security, as well as more opportunities to be given for the average person/student to be able to attend the fetes and enjoy themselves.”
Of importance to him, too, is that the season attracted quite a few tourists, as evidenced at the few events he attended. And while that augured well for business, he opined that it helps in promoting the Guyanese culture. This is something he hopes to see this year as well.

Moving forward, he stressed: “We have to keep raising the bar as our country continues to develop.”

Shaquille Cole is another youngster who made it his duty to attend quite a few of the events as well, and he explained that of lot, ‘Shell Down Monday’ was just right, and Soca Rave was perhaps the best of them all.

“Overall,” Shaquille said, “the vibe was nice. The music was amazing, and it was clean partying. I loved the Guyanese Carnival songs. Drew did a really good job with them,” he told ‘the Buzz’.

As he gets ready for carnival again, Cole noted that it would be nice if the organisers could lower the prices for the events that are held on the same day as others. “Yuh know, your pocket can’t ‘dang’ as you would want to where there are three events in one day,” he said.

“For me, Guyana Carnival is nice. The vibes was good; it had nice parties and so. It was overall good,” Aliyah Pompey said. Her only issue is that maybe, the organisers should take some more time to plan out the events and garner more local support.
Of course, what she is most excited about is the Buju Banton ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ concert, and intends on ‘licking out’.
And the excitement for carnival is not just merely for the partygoers and ‘feters’ alone. Jomo Angus sells practically all the ladies’ clothes needed for the carnival at his ‘setup’ located at the corner of Camp and Robb Streets. Everything! From the j’ouvert clothes, to the fancier tops and pants, he has you covered! And that’s why he is all for the Guyana Carnival.

“I bring in clothes for the ladies, and I’m hoping that by next week, sales gon’ pick up,” Angus said. “I think the carnival is just a good idea, especially for me… I looking for the support again,” he added.

Then there’s Delicia Lewis. She went to all of the events last year. That’s right! ALL! She said she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

“For someone that’s never been to carnival outside of Guyana, I think that it’s nice that they’re bringing it here for us to enjoy. And plus, you see them bringing a lot of tourists. So that’s good for us,” Delecia said. And in the most obvious of tones, she said: “Of course I’m going again this year! I can’t miss out!”