PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The SCDF is opening registration much earlier than usual after receiving numerous requests about various Carnival aspects and the fact that more time is needed to put some initiatives in place. In June the foundation had already allotted its international nights slots to independent promoters.
As is now customary, registration can to be done via Carnival’s website at: www.sxm-carnival.com. Registration is open for season passes, booths, troupes/parades, bands, calypso and roadmarch competitions. All other inquiries can be made by emailing info@sxm-carnival.com. Registration will close on November 1.
The opening of registration signals the start of the 2020 Carnival season for the SCDF after a short break for its volunteer foundation members. President of the SCDF Alston Lourens said the board is still ‘extremely busy’ closing pending matters from Carnival 50 and have been working with stakeholders since the end of Carnival 50.
“We are literally continuously busy with Carnival year-round, the only stoppage being a self-imposed break that our volunteer members need for their families. Moving forward after Carnival 50 we have several things to build on, several things to address and fix, short and long-term contractual business relationships and more. So it was imperative to us that we get an early start,” Lourens said.
Lourens added that the foundation has already been invited to meet with the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) about Carnival 2020 and will also meet with French tourism authorities in the coming weeks. “STB had indicated since last Carnival that it wanted to start discussing Carnival early, so we are looking forward to that since early is how we like to operate,” Lourens said.
“Most importantly we want to get the shows and activities underway by getting registration in from now. Early preparation allows proper planning and timely changes if any. People are excited for Carnival and we are eager to get going again,” Lourens added.
