More than 10 bands and various creative get-ups are expected on the road for Jouvert Morning 2011 as part of the Carnival 2011 festivities. The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is preparing to host a jouvert that is already popular locally but growing in popularity regionally as well.
More than 10,000 people was estimated at the jump-up in 2010 and that number is expected to grow this year with the inclusion of Small Axe Band out of St. Kitts and Pantha Vibes out of Anguilla.
President of the SCDF Stuart Johnson said St. Maarten’s jouvert is so popular now that the jouvert alone is a major attraction for visitors in the region.
"We have a spectacular product here led by our local bands, our local stars. There are certain groups that have opted to have jouvert troupes with invited foreign bands, but as much as we welcome them, our local bands still lead the way in keeping St. Maarten’s Carnival and St. Maarten’s jouvert as one of the best in the region," Johnson said.
Complimenting the bands are revelers who have decided to turn jouvert into a moving costume party. "Revelers tend to come out in all sorts of costumes for jouvert to add more fun and a different atmosphere to the event. Revelers have to understand however, that law enforcement will sometimes removes masks and other garments that might block a person’s face. But we have always had good cooperation and in good fun so we expect the same," he said.
Jouvert Morning Jump Up starts at 4:00am from the Festival Village. The route takes the jump-up through Sucker Garden first and proceeds around the pond.