(CMR) The Batabano Parade will be held on the same date as its competitor's inaugural junior carnival event on June 26. The recently changed date is causing some confusion and questions about why its new carnival date is now closing with a child's parade.
The announcement was made Friday night on their Facebook page that the non-profit Cayman Carnival Batabano origination has changed its date from this Saturday, May 8 to the same date as the CayMas Junion Carnival in June. The last-minute change caught a number of people off guard as they were messaging CMR up until Friday asking if the carnival was actually happening.
The social media post said that the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) has just granted the road closure approval for Saturday, June 26th, 2021. The reason given for the delay is that the road closure approval was delayed.
However, speculation is that the organizers may have realized that the COVID-19 regulations do not allow for parades or gatherings exceeding 1,000 persons. Batabano organizers have said this is not the case as they are working closely with the RCIPS to navigate the restrictions and supply a COVID-19 safety documents that would allow them to comply with the restrictions.
They also shared that despite the CayMas junior carnival having been posted on social media since March 4 they were unaware of it until days before they received approval for their event.
They noted that this year's event is anticipated to be smaller and “all is subject to change when the current COVID-19 Regulations expire on May 15, 2021.”
However, they did confirm that this change of date is intended to be for 2021 only and 2022 will see a return to the May carnival date.
The anticipated route is Seven Mile Public Beach to Harbour Drive, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
CayMas Jr. carnival will be held in the streets at Camana Bay late Saturday afternoon. Band participants are age 7-17.
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