Kingston Carnival Jamaica preparing for 2023

Downtown Kingston Carnival has been renamed Kingston Carnival Jamaica for the 2023 carnival season and beyond.

The founder and bandleader, O'Neil Smith, says the event was being rebranded to represent a wider market.

"With the blessing of our supporters, we have changed the name from Downtown Kingston Carnival to just Kingston Carnival, as it is our plan to move uptown and expand our band. After reassessing the carnival, we recognise things have changed and the rebranding was necessary to stay competitive and to attract more persons to the band," Smith told THE STAR.

"The response has been positive thus far because downtown always wanted to be part of Carnival Sunday. Even when we had the march on Easter Monday, persons from our band could be seen on the side of the road as spectators but wearing their costumes a day early," he continued.

Earlier this year, the band was forced to cancel its march as it was unable to pull together all it needed in time for the Carnival in Jamaica Road March on July 10. Smith said that a lack of sponsorship will not stop Kingston Carnival. He has already secured the support of Big Ras Enterprise and is currently on the search for more sponsors for each section. The 2023 Kingston Carnival Jamaica theme has been dubbed 'The New Dawn', which he said is "a concept that likens to a new beginning".

"So, we will have sections or costumes like 'Phoenix' and 'The Rising Sun' and anybody who knows about those, know what those stand for. We're still trying to give them a price point that is reasonable because we have prided ourselves on providing that, catering to persons who may not be able to afford the extravagant designs," the organiser explained.

He further explained that the change and expansion of the band has not been without trials.

"Our band has started designing costumes as well as purchasing the rhinestones and feathers. Though we have met upon some challenges with getting the feathers, we are optimistic we will find another supplier or way to get them," he said. "The team is already bending wires for the feathered backpacks and we are preparing as best as we can with the resources we have."

The new route is expected to start from Cross Roads into New Kingston and end in Half-Way Tree. Smith said he has not completely left out downtown Kingston as he is also in planning mode for Waterfront J'ouvert on February 25 and is looking at venues for J'ouvert on the Beach on March 26.

"We are aiming for 1,000 revellers in costumes and T-shirts across five different sections for 2023. Already people are enquiring from all around the world and the island but I must say we are not sure we will do a separate band launch and, if so, it will be later than all the other bands. As part of the Carnival in Jamaica stakeholders, we do share similar goals and are just working towards a safe and successful execution for Carnival in Jamaica next year," Smith shared.