Cayman Carnival Junior Batabano will be on the road again on Saturday April 22, 2023. The theme for this year’s costumes is “Ah Hearing Drums” and spectators will see colourful depictions of tambourines, steel drums, congas, bongos and much more.
WendyAnn George, Junior Batabano Coordinator for over 20 years said: “Approximately 400 children comprising of six schools and newcomers Party Animals Junior Group will be playing ‘mas’. We are pleased that the Edna Moyle Primary School will be joining us again, after a very long absence. Other participating schools are Sir John A Cumber Primary, Cayman International School, St. Ignatius Catholic School, Prospect Primary and Joanna Clarke Primary.”
Once again, the groups will be competing for four trophies. Ms. Donna Myrie , Chair of Cayman Carnival Batabano stated: “Cayman Carnival Batabano is a Caymanian Carnival. As our organization continues to highlight aspects of our Caymanian culture and heritage within the carnival celebration, we are naming our trophies after our National Symbols.”
The first place school will receive The Silver Thatch trophy for Band of the Year, 2nd place is the Wild Banana Orchid trophy, 3rd place is the Green Sea Turtle Trophy and the school that exhibits the Spirit of Batabano will receive the Grand Cayman Parrot trophy. Thank you to Saxon for the sponsorship of these trophies.
The Family Fun Day on the lawns of the Old Glass House will be an enjoyable event with games, activities and music with food and drink on sale. The schools have been arduously practicing their dance moves and spectators can see the finale of the costumed parade as the children perform their well-choreographed dances on stage and on the streets of George Town on Saturday April 24th from 2pm.
The Teen Glow Teen Dance is on! Wear something white and glow on the dance floor! The Teen Dance starts at 7pm and ends at 10:30pm.
Sponsors play a tremendous part in helping to produce this event. The Cayman Carnival Batabano Committee sincerely thanks the sponsors – Cayman Airways, The Department of Tourism, The Ministry of Tourism, The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Cayman National Bank, Saxon, Radio Cayman and the Caymanian Times for their continued support. There are still sponsorship opportunities for interested persons and businesses.
Batabano (Cayman) Limited is a Registered NPO. All sponsorship received goes back into the community through the events put on by Cayman Carnival Batabano. The Committee members are all volunteers and do not receive any remuneration for their work.
The public is invited to come out and enjoy Cayman Carnival Junior Batabano on Saturday April 22, 2023 from 2pm to 6pm. The Family Fun Day begins at 2pm and the Costumed Street Parade begins at 4pm.