From left: Radio personality Gary Euton, better known as Gee Money; Real Auto marketing consultant Vincent Hinds; Bernard Richardson of II Brothers Entertainment; Real Auto marketing rep Kareem Louis; Real Auto sales manager Janice Balborda; and SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki.
PHILIPSBURG--The launch of Carnival 55 unfolded on Friday with a surge of cultural pride as organizers revealed the theme: “5, 10, 55 – Three Anniversaries. One Epic Carnival.” The message was clear – 2026 will not be just another year of celebration, but a landmark convergence of milestones.
II Brothers Entertainment marks five years of reshaping the island’s entertainment landscape, Real Auto celebrates a decade of community-driven business success, and St. Maarten Carnival itself reaches its 55th anniversary, standing as one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant cultural celebrations.
Bernhard Richardson of II Brothers Entertainment (right) with Austin Helliger, a key figure in St. Maarten Baseball-Softball Federation and significant contributor to the St. Maarten Carnival through II Brothers Entertainment.
The media event at Real Auto on Friday evening, with three Members of Parliament – Egbert Doran (National Alliance), Lyndon Lewis (NOW) and Dimar Labega (DP) – in attendance.
“This is not just a launch,” St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF), II Brothers Entertainment and Real Auto jointly emphasized. “It is a declaration. Carnival 55 will be bolder, brighter, louder – and more legendary than anything we have ever seen.”
Founded in 2021, II Brothers Entertainment has rapidly become a cultural force, shifting the energy of Carnival with events that blend music, performance, and creative production. The company has brought an impressive roster of international performers to local stages, including Teejay, Busy Signal, Bounty Killer, Jada Kingdom, I-Wayne, Kranium, Junior Kelly, Wayne Wonder, and Gramps Morgan.
It has evolved over the past five years from an event organizer into a catalyst for cultural expression, creating experiences that resonate long after the music stops.
As II Brothers expands, its ambitions stretch beyond events. The company is moving into promotions, branding, merchandising, artiste management, and regional booking, with plans to collaborate with tourism authorities, cultural ministries, and Carnival Committees across the Caribbean.
The goal is to elevate the island’s cultural footprint, transforming Carnival from a local celebration into a regional and global reference point. The company also continues to amplify its visibility in the Carnival Village, offering premium branding opportunities that will allow one partner to fully customize booth spaces during the season.
For Carnival 55, II Brothers Entertainment officially enters the road experience with its 2026 J’ouvert band, themed “INVASION”. On Friday evening, during a press conference at the Real Auto showroom, Bernard Richardson of II Brothers Entertainment promised a free-flowing eruption of music and street-level energy that will redefine the early-morning tradition of J’ouvert.
The season will also be marked by the release of a Carnival 55 Anniversary Package, designed by Sokoto George of Koto Creative Group. For US $35, supporters will receive a commemorative shirt, cup, and Carnival rag.
The initiative aims to turn the island into a sea of Carnival colours, with organizers encouraging businesses and citizens to wear their shirts on Fridays throughout the season. This year will also introduce “Happy Day”, a full day of curated drink specials at selected booths – an expanded version of the traditional Happy Hour.
In support of youth participation, the entertainment company will donate cases of water and juice to every troupe in the Junior Parade, while also providing assistance to Junior Queens and participants in the Junior Calypso and Road March competitions. This investment, organizers say, ensures that the next generation grows with confidence and a deep connection to the culture.
To broaden Carnival’s reach, II Brothers has secured partnerships with regional media outlets such as Julians Promos, Trini Jungle Juice, Fete Tracker, Ultimate Experience Productions, Rex Aruba, TEMPO, and a network of influencers including Jr. Lee, Bahayogi, Nicey Bwoss, and JLove.
Beginning December 1, Carnival supporters may also participate in the “Ultimate Carnival Experience Raffle,” with tickets priced at US $40. The prize includes flights, hotel accommodation, VIP access, a frontline costume, J’ouvert entry, and US $500 cash for two people. The raffle closes February 28, and the draw will be held on March 1, 2026, with tickets available via
wefetes.com.
Additionally, Carnival 55 will be promoted through a regional Caribbean tour featuring artistes, DJs, and performers from both the Dutch and French sides of the island – positioning the event as a shared cultural export.
II Brothers Entertainment is also extending its reach beyond music by supporting sports development. The company sponsors the Sluggers Softball Team and the Dodgers Baseball Team, with players committing to mentor youth teams weekly. This initiative aims to strengthen community ties while fostering discipline and ambition among young athletes.
As the island prepares for Carnival 55, organizers say the season represents more than celebration – it is an opportunity for partnership, visibility, and cultural legacy. For businesses and community stakeholders, this milestone year offers the chance to align with a movement that honours the past, celebrates the present, and shapes the future of St. Maarten’s cultural identity.
In the words of the organizers: Five. Ten. Fifty-Five. Three anniversaries. One epic Carnival. And it begins now.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/three-anniversaries-one-epic-celebration-st-maarten-is-gearing-up-for-carnival-55
