Carnival - Mardi Gras Parade: an extravaganza of colors and joy

The sun is still shining brightly when the first float leaves the commercial port and heads towards Rue de la République. Strapped to the back of a pickup truck, a very sober King Vaval leads the parade. He will be followed, throughout the afternoon of Tuesday, February 17, by a wave of colors and creativity.
From the Youngz to the Ascco, Ti Ouana Salsa, the Golden Team, the Caribbean Girls, the Pineapple Girls, Nib, and the Wake Up Girls, each group enthusiastically spread its energy throughout the entire Mardi Gras parade route in the streets of Gustavia. The costumes, floats, and choreography were all worthy of the event.
As for the spectators, they also contributed greatly to the success of the event with their costumes, their good humor, and, quite simply, their desire to participate in the festivities. It is also worth noting the presence of a few small groups that, interspersed between the floats, showed off their originality.

From the gang of macrelles hanging out of their windows to the eccentric penguins and the little rolling hut denouncing certain rental practices on the island, the transgressive spirit of the carnival was very much in evidence. All in all, it was a beautiful parade, with a new feature introduced by the Territorial Collectivity: a competition.
This year, the floats did not pass in front of the Bar de l'Oubli and the Sélect. They turned onto the Quai du Général de Gaulle. There, on a red carpet, groups of dancers performed their choreography in front of a jury of four people. The prize for the most successful float was awarded to Ti Ouana Salsa, the prize for the most beautiful costumes to the Pineapple Girls, and the prize for the best choreography to the Golden Team. Finally, the Caribbean Girls were honored in the "overall atmosphere" category.
Thanks to the Carnival Committee's insistence with the Collectivité, the groups were able to make a round trip to Gustavia. To prolong the party a little longer. The next day, Wednesday, at nightfall, Vaval was reduced to ashes. The king is dead, long live the king.