The countdown to Tobago Carnival has begun, with the Monarchs of Mas competition set to kick off celebrations in Scarborough on Thursday evening.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer of the Tobago Festivals Commission Kern Cowan said all systems are in place for the smooth execution of activities leading up to the main events over the last weekend in October.
With this year’s theme, “Mud, Mas and Music”, he assured that mud, one of the signature elements of Tobago Carnival, will feature prominently throughout the celebrations.
Following Thursday’s Monarchs of Mas, attention will shift to Roxborough for Rox-glo.
“So you are going to see Roxglo as a mud edition for the very first time. We are excited to see what that would be because we already have thousands registered for the Roxglo, and you are going to see different forms of the mud, even glowing mud at that parade.”
Mr Cowan also revealed that at least four mud bands have registered for J’ouvert, scheduled for Saturday, October 31st.
“You’re going to have some mud stations, so bands who are not mud have the opportunity to partake in the mud just the same, but mud will be well represented this year.”
He also announced that registration is open for Road March contenders for Tobago Carnival.
This will be the first time in Tobago Carnival history that a Road March competition is held. The competition is open exclusively to Tobagonian artistes.
“Artistes you are not limited to a singular song. You can register multiple songs, current songs. The outlined factors, as of Ash Wednesday 2026 to now, are timelines you are now able to put out your songs.”
Bands participating in J’ouvert, Night Mas, Traditional Mas and Pretty Mas are being encouraged to play more music by Tobagonian artistes to help promote the island’s music.
Mr Cowan said judging will take place at three locations along the parade route.
“The judging areas would be three: Market Square, the Barcode area along the waterfront, which is the Calypso Rose Boulevard, and along the highway on the Claude Noel Highway where the parade reaches that side. So the Road March is well on its way.”