Cayman Carnival Batabano pays homage to Cayman’s turtling heritage at Junior Batabano

Junior Batabano is set to hit the streets of George Town on Saturday May 11, 2019 with the theme “Once Upon A Turtle”, which pays homage to Cayman’s turtling heritage.

“One of our new marketing initiatives for Cayman Carnival Batabano overall going forward is to reconnect the carnival in creative ways with the original meaning of the word ‘Batabano’, which is the native Caymanian term for the tracks left in the sand when turtles go ashore to nest during nesting season, which typically starts around May each year,” explained the Chairperson of the Cayman Carnival Batabano Committee, Donna Myrie-Stephen. “With the turtle nesting season being all about the emergence of turtle hatchlings, it was only fitting that we launch this new initiative with the Juniors.”

This
year’s Junior Batabano costumes were therefore designed and created
by returning costume designer, Richard Bartholomew of
Trinidad, along with Shane James. Each school’s costume(s)
will represent some aspect of Cayman’s turtling heritage, as well
as a few fantasy turtles.

There
are six schools and more than 400 children and teens participating
this year from the following schools: Cayman International School
will have 25 students donning the costume design called “Sailing in
Las Tortugas”; Red Bay Primary School will have 39 students wearing
costumes called “Save The Turtles”; Savannah Primary School will
have 66 students in the “My Favourite Turtle Souveneir” costume;
and George Town Primary will have 49 students in two sections wearing
costumes called “Have You Ever Seen A Flying Turtle” and “Sir
Turtle Playing Mas”. 

St.
Ignatius Catholic School’s entry this year will have 147 students
in four different costume sections under the theme “The Turtle
Cycle”. The sections are called: “Emerging At Full Moon”; “The
Race For Survival”; “Batabano In The Sand”; and “A Nest Of
Eggs”.

John
A. Cumber Primary School is returning to the Junior Batabano
parade after an eight-year hiatus, and will have 77 students sporting
the costume design called “Hidden In The Kelp”.

The
Cayman Islands Boy Scouts will also be in the Junior Batabano parade,
as well as a local group of young beauty queens.

The
Junior Batabano participating schools are competing for the following
prizes again this year: Junior Batabano Band of the Year; Second
Runner Up; Third Runner Up; and Spirit of Junior Batabano.

“Everyone
involved is very excited about this year’s Junior Batabano turtle
theme and are all looking forward to seeing the costumes in the
parade,” said WendyAnn George, the Batabano Committee member
who has been coordinating Junior Batabano for the past 10 years.
“We’re also looking forward to the Family Fun Day activities and
the much-anticipated dance competition following the parade where
each school will compete for the coveted Junior Batabano Band Of The
Year title, and other prizes.”

The
event starts with Family Fun Day activities on the lawns of the old
Glass House at 1pm, with lots of games, activities, food,
mask-decorating, face painting, and much more.

Then
at 3pm, pick a spot along the parade route as 400+ children
wind their way from the Glass House on Elgin Avenue through the heart
of George Town and back to the Glass House where they will each
perform choregraphed dances on stage as part of the competition for
prizes. The event is expected to end by 6pm.

Later
that evening, from 7pm-11pm, the annual Junior Batabano Teen Dance
takes place at King’s Sport Center for teens aged 13-16 only.
Admission is CI$15 to dance, or CI$20 to dance and skate.

Junior
Batabano is sponsored by: The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman; The
Ministry of District Administration, Tourism, and Transport; The
Ministry of Health, Environment, Culture, and Housing; Pinnacle
Media; DMS Broadcasting; Cayman Airways; Picture This; Le Classique;
DHL; Butterfield; Cayman National Bank; and Netclues.

The Batabano Chairperson added: “We’re always thrilled to see so many schools, families, and local businesses continuing to put their support behind this cultural experience for our young people, because they really are the future of Batabano. We sincerely thank all Junior Batabano supporters and sponsors, and we look forward to the continued support.”

ABOUT JUNIOR
BATABANO

Introduced
in 2002, Junior Batabano’s objective is to provide a
family-friendly environment for Cayman’s youth to enjoy
the spirit of carnival in their own parade through George Town, on
their own weekend prior to the adult parade. The parade starts and
ends at the old Glass House in town, where the junior masqueraders
cross the stage following their parade, and perform
choreographed dances to the delight of judges, friends, and
family. The parade is followed by family fun day
activities and entertainment on the grounds of the old Glass House
lawns.