Preparation for Carnival 2027 will begin as of “midnight tonight.”
That’s according to Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, while speaking live on TTT during Carnival festivities at the Grand Stand of the Queen’s Park Savannah on Carnival Tuesday.
With the Carnival dust barely settling, Minister Benjamin says there’s no time to waste.
“That planning is going to start immediately as of Ash Wednesday morning. My team, those here at NCC at the Grand Stand, in NCC, everyone is on alert. As soon as midnight tonight, we start to plan for 2027.”
This year marked her first Carnival as Minister, an experience she describes as vibrant, record-breaking, and deeply meaningful, with celebrations reaching every corner of the country.
She said her first Carnival as Minister allowed her, for the first time, to experience the festival from the road instead of behind the scenes.
“I can tell you from when you look at the fetes being sold out, the mass crowds attending all of these events, the J’ouvert in different regions, it was spectacular. Myself and the Prime Minister, we were in the Barrackpore area of my constituency and her constituency, because we border there, and I could tell you Moruga had an amazing J’ouvert, that’s another part of my constituency. When you look at what happened in San Fernando, Princes Town, Rio Claro, Sangre Grande, all over Trinidad and Tobago, our citizens, they are out, they are expressive, and our Carnival is alive.”
The Minister also urged masqueraders, especially young women, to stay vigilant during last-lap and cool-down festivities, and advised revelers to move with friends, have safe transport, and seek police assistance if needed.
“Enjoy yourself, be safe. When you are participating in the last lap, make sure and have a friend close. This is our culture. I saw a very heartbreaking story with a young lady. I want to ask young ladies to always have a friend near you. Make sure that you have a way to get back home and call someone. Go to the nearest police station. Do not take chance with your safety, but have fun.”