Trinidad’s creative community rallies to ensure the famed carnival remains affordable

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Trinidad and Tobago It was effectively closed on Tuesday as we approached the climax of the famous two-day annual carnival.

But this year the event, dubbed the “greatest show on Earth”, has faced pressure from rising costs, leaving a growing number of residents on the twin islands. caribbean The nation can no longer afford to participate.

Ticket prices for premium parties reached around $700, while costumes for a popular masquerade group exceeded $2,000.

Aware of rising prices, teachers and musicians are finding creative ways carnival it was more accessible to residents whose ancestors were slaves who were barred from participating in such festivities.

“This is giving kids the opportunity to be a part of something that is very difficult financially,” said Joshua Lamorelle, who travels to impoverished communities and teaches stilt walkers for free.

Just days before schools and businesses close for the massive carnival street parade that begins Monday, Lamorelle was offering final advice to students. He observed 11-year-old Kanye Simmons sitting against a wall and securing the footrests to his legs before the youth parade.

Stilt walking is Simmons’ favorite pastime, even more so. video games: “I find this very educational and very entertaining.”

His mother, Chrisann Clarke, said she appreciated Lamorelle’s effort to educate the children about the country’s culture and carnival history. He was also grateful that he didn’t have to pay for his son to attend the parade, as was traditional.

“It’s actually great because most parents can’t afford it,” he said.

‘We are the carnival’

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is celebrated on the two days before Ash Wednesday, called Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Even though it is not an official national holiday, tens of thousands of people wear costumes and participate in the street parade.

Carnival dates from the 18th century, when French settlers brought the festivities to the islands but banned African slaves from participating. By the 19th century, formerly enslaved Africans revolted against British authorities who tried to suppress the celebrations.

Carnival has since grown into a major festival and is a significant contributor to the economy, employing thousands of people and generating millions of dollars in tourism revenue.

With ticket and costume prices on the rise, soca music star Kimba Sorzano got creative to promote her new music for this year’s carnival.

He owns a minibus known as a “Maxi taxi”. Some mornings, he offers passengers a free ride as long as they listen to his music for the entire journey.

The promotional tactic has become so popular that fast food restaurants have jumped in and added free breakfast to commutes.

“Some people have been deprived of carnival, but we are also carnival,” said Sorzano, who believes that the true spirit of carnival lives on in the hearts of Trinidadians and Tobagonians.

He’s not the only artist spreading carnival cheer without paying any fees. Singer Patrice Roberts held a free soca music concert in late January that was attended by more than 10,000 people.

Acknowledging the challenges some families are facing, Roberts said in a video posted on social media that he knew “not everyone is going to be able to handle this” this year.

“This is for all the loyal fans, families, and anyone else who still wants to feel the magic,” Roberts said.

Free street walk for children

Lamorelle believes making carnival and other aspects of Trinidad and Tobago culture more accessible helps enrich people’s lives.

“Anything that will make young people better and have a better vision of culture is my goal,” he said.

This year Lamorelle started a carnival masquerade troupe for children, covering most of the expenses with his own money, but a few sponsors also helped.

This is a rare opportunity for a country of nearly 1.4 million people whose unemployment rate rose to 4.8% in the third quarter of 2025 from 3.8% in the previous quarter, according to the latest government data.

The government has approved new taxes and increased some fees since it was elected last April. While this has resulted in increased prices and job losses for consumers, some say they have been forced to close their businesses.

Lamorelle has the support of the population in Valencia, a small town in northeastern Trinidad.

“It does great work in the community because it keeps the kids more busy than wandering around and doing silly things,” said Nakita De Verteuil, who has two children in the group.

One of his sons, Josiah De Verteuil, who plays a “midnight robber” on four-foot-tall stilts, considers Lamorelle his mentor.

“He is a very cute person,” the 17-year-old said. “And for kids, he is one of the best influencers.”