Thousands bring in annual Jouvert Morning Jump-Up

PHILIPSBURG--Jouvert Morning Jump-Up started in Philipsburg exactly at 4:00am Wednesday and participants were lined up on Walter J. Nisbeth Road from 3:00am awaiting the start of the biggest Jump-Up of the Carnival season. Some 25 vehicles, seventeen of which were band/deejays, beverage and water trucks, made the Jump-Up bigger than previous years.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n The Jump-Up made its way through Sucker Garden, Arch Road, Illidge Road, Walter J. Nisbeth Road and ended at Carnival Village close to 12:00pm.\r\n St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) President Mike Granger explained prior to the Jump-Up that once again St. Maarten had attracted a number of visitors to the island specifically for Carnival’s largest road event. “We have approximately 500 people who are on-island for Jouvert alone,” he said, coupled with the passion residents have for this Jump-Up.\r\n One of the highlights of the Jump-Up was the Jouvert Morning troupe competition focussing on the best costumes worn by revellers during the event. Winners in 2014 and 2015 The Jailbreak Crew are trying to retain their title and win the cash prize of US $1,000.\r\n The competition was introduced in 2014 as a way to encourage revellers to participate and be creative by forming a group.The winner of the competition will be announced at the end of the Carnival season as customary.\r\n Coors Light Splash manned by Red Eye Crew had the biggest crowd behind its creative disco-type fully-decked-out musical truck. Well known performers performed their hit songs during the fete from beginning to end.\r\n Soggy Dollar Bar music truck also added to the mix a variety of music for those who enjoy its style. \r\n There were several fights and stabbing incidents during the jump-up (see related story).\r\n Carnival Marketing Director Rolando Brison told The Daily Herald on Wednesday morning, “We are happy with the turnout as we see our festival grow even bigger and better every year. This would not be possible without the participation of revellers who come to have clean fun at the biggest road Jump-Up. We made history this year and we continue to market Carnival internationally such as the recent collaboration with popular Carnival website ‘Trini jungle juice.’”\r\n Carnival continues tonight with Reggae One Love Concert as the Carnival season reaches its peak.\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
Source: Daily Herald \n\t\t\t\tThousands bring in annual Jouvert Morning Jump-Up"