No other state in the Eastern Caribbean can boast of having two Carnivals. Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique can now lay claim to this unique distinction. The Carriacou and Petit Martinique Carnival Development Committee is ensuring that the February celebrations of Carnival will be as attractive and appealing as on mainland Grenada. So on October 1st the Committee got things started with a launch that took place downtown Hillsborough. A more beautiful evening could not have been chosen to launch Carriacou and Petit Martinique’s Carnival season. The excellent weather made it possible for a massive turnout to witness the evening’s happenings. After opening prayers and the singing of the National Anthem by Miss Wendy Edmund the audience listened to informative speeches beginning with the Secretary of the Carriacou and Petit Martinique Carnival Development Committee, Miss Marilyn Joseph. Miss Vinishah Cudjoe, the Chairperson of the Committee spoke of the plans for the 2006 Carnival season, the relationship with the major business houses and the $8,000 profit that the committee realized in 2005. Miss Rece Sam, marketing executive of Digicel Grenada, who reaffirmed her company’s commitment to Carnival in Carriacou and Petit Martinique, spoke of working in the future with the locally based band Extract and presented a cheque that represented half of Digicel’s sponsored commitment to the Committee. Minister with responsibility for Carriacou and Petit Martinique Affairs Hon. Elvin Nimrod spoke of the economic value of the Carnival celebrations and the sense of community spirit that is derived from the festivities before he made a declaration of the Official Launch of Carnival in Carriacou and Petit Martinique. Treasurer and PRO of the Committee, Mrs. Princess Herry-John, gave the vote of thanks making way for the entertainment segment of the evening’s proceedings. A host of local performers took the stage, including Danjuma, Roach, Busta, Skinny Banton and Shortpree. 2005 Soca Monarch Finalists during Spicemas Super Flint also performed showing why he made it to the Big Stage in Grenada. From the Mainland, Elo who had a fantastic Spicemas season wooed the ladies of Carriacou with his sensuous hit “If She Want Me Work”, then he took the tempo up a few notches with “Mash Dog”, another Spicemas 2005 selection that had the audience ‘chasing dogs’ on the streets of Hillsborough. Another 2005 Soca Monarch Finalist on mainland Grenada again had the people of Carriacou going crazy. Performing for the first time on the Sister Isle, Lavaman and his mega-hit “Position” received no less than five encores as it seemed the crowd would never have enough of the energy and skills of Lavaman. After the sensational performances the DJ played on for another hour before the Launch of Carriacou’s Carnival was brought to an end just before midnight. The Carriacou and Petit Martinique Carnival Development Committee must be congratulated for the early start to the 2006 Carnival season. Two Carnivals in one calendar year, Carriacou in February and Spicemas in August! Carriacou Carnival – February 27 & 28 Spicemas - August 14 & 15 Keep logging onto www.spicemasgrenada.com for photos of the Launch and more Carnival updates.