Carnival Fever Builds as Belize Counts Down to 50th Anniversary

It’s that time of year again, when the streets of Belize explode with color, music, and pure energy. Carnival is turning fifty, and this golden anniversary is a celebration of Belizean culture, creativity, and community. What started as a small street parade has grown into a month-long spectacle that brings the country to life. And in this week’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday, we’re taking you back, tracing carnival’s roots and showing how it’s evolved into one of the most anticipated events on the calendar. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The countdown to carnival is officially on, and with just under three weeks to go, the excitement is building fast. Across Belize, bands are gearing up, costumes are coming together, and the energy is electric. Every year, events like Mas Camp and the Carnival King and Queen competition help set the stage for the big day. But believe it or not, it wasn’t always this elaborate. Dorla Vaughn, the proud owner of Black Pearl Junior Carnival Band, has been part of the carnival scene for an incredible thirty-seven years. She takes us back to where it all began and shares how the celebration has grown into the vibrant spectacle we know and love today.

 

Dorla Vaughn, Owner, Black Pearl Junior Carnival Band

“The atmosphere was very hype. But when I started in 1988, we started with eight girls and 1989, we had eighty kids. I think they just saw what we did and they love it. And at that time it’s not, the costume was stuff that we sew skirt and blouses and everything to match.”

 

Carnival started as a spark to revive September Tenth celebrations, just a few brave Belizeans in homemade costumes dancing through the streets. Fast forward to today, and it’s a full-blown celebration of culture, freedom, and Belizean pride. Solie Arguelles, one of the founding members of the Belize Carnival Road March, has seen it all. She loves the energy and the dancers, but says not everything on the road sits well with her.

 

Solie Arguelles, Founding Member, Belize Carnival Road March

“Carnival it has become a beautiful thing but in my heart, I really object to the vulgarity that it brings. I am not interested.”

 

Vaughn appreciates how carnival has adapted to make safe spaces for children separate from the adults that participate.

 

Dorla Vaughn

“We make kids know that they’re kids and they do not dance at the same time with the adults. And then at the same time, we have to provide good dance move for them, they can’t dance any kind of way. Plus we can’t dress in any kind of way They have to dress properly. I think that’s a different, because back then they could have worn anything. They could have worn a tights. They could have worn leggings, but now no, they can’t do that.”

 

Carnival has come a long way and so have the costumes. These days, some outfits cost hundreds of dollars, showing just how much investment goes into the celebration. But not everyone can afford to keep up. Marina Welcome, owner of Jump Street Posse, says more support is needed, especially for kids who want to be part of the magic but struggle to fund their passion. She’s calling for more help to make carnival truly inclusive.

 

Marina Welcome, Owner, Jump Street Posse

“Now I think the government and business places need to get more involved and focus on the kids rather than the adults. Remember the adults have job that they can help themselves, The kids have to depend on their parents. But what I notice with the business places and so is that everybody jump to help the senior more than the junior.”

 

Numerous expenses, as well as the competitive nature of the carnival festivities, have been tough for some to manage. Vaughn says that it comes with a silver lining- motivation.

 

Dorla Vaughn

“It motivate you because it makes you bring out your creativity. And that’s a good thing because sometime when you put them costume together, you look at it and say, wow, I never know I could do this.”

Carnival may have changed over the years, but one thing stays the same, Belizeans’ love for music, dance, and country. Dorla Vaughn, a longtime carnival veteran, says that passion is what keeps her and others coming back year after year, no matter how the celebration evolves.

 

Dorla Vaughn

“ The fun of it, and especially this area where I live, they always call this  area, like a bad area. But I just try and make this wa seasonal thing every year so that the kids outta the area and any next area was come and dance with me. Have something to do in the summertime”

 

Changes are inevitable but whether this aspect of culture survives depends on how society reacts and adapts to them, creating space for the celebration to grow and improve. Britney Gordon for News Five.