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Office of Local Holidays earmarks increased budget for Carnival 2014 cash prizes

carnaval 2014 webFor a day where stuffy school and work clothes get left in the closet and fancy dress has its turn to come out and shine, the Carnival cavalcade is once again set to embark upon Formentera with almost certainly something for everyone. The annual accompanying fancy dress competition is marked this year by two changes: 'Best Couples' Fancy Dress' joins the list of categories with both first and second place prizes, and the 'Best Large Group Fancy Dress' category has been bequeathed a new cash prize.

Like last year, the 2014 Carnival festivities will take place in Sant Ferran, and upholding tradition, the holiday falls on Sunday, 2 March – the Sunday before Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent). All those who are dressing for the occasion will meet at the Sant Ferran primary school, from whence the parade will set off about the streets of town in the company of Eivissa's own Pota Lait, a rock group.

Those wishing to participate in the competitive running for prizes must be at the school at 11 am to begin sign-ups. The parade will begin shortly thereafter, parting from the school on a course throughout town. Upon their return to the Sant Ferran school, they will be met with a costume ball officiated by DJ Pharma.

Anyone in fancy dress can take part in the competitive portion of Carnival, and will be eligible for either first or second place distinction. Second place winners in the children's categories will take home sixty euros and first place winners, one hundred. Adult participants are eligible for either 150€ (second place) or 200€ (first). This year's rookie category – 'Best Couple Fancy Dress' – will carry a cash prize of 200€ (second place) or 300€ (first). There exist two separate distinctions for groups: 'large group' (more than 10 people and dubbed the 'comparsa' category in Catalan) and 'small group' (from 3 to 10 people and referred to simply as the 'grup' category). Winners of the second prize in the small group category will receive 250€, and their first place counterparts can nab 400€. Second place winners in the large group category stand to win 350€ while their first place counterparts are assured 500€. Parade floats can win 650€ or 950€ for second and first place, respectively.

Sure to have young and old alike dancing, music for the event will be assured as in years past by the multitalented DJ Pharma. The people's lunch – organised by the Sant Ferran parents' association – will be held at 2 pm, and of course, anyone in fancy dress will eat for free.

The Formentera Island Council's Office of Community Involvement and Local Holidays is thrilled to organise the annual Carnival celebrations, hoping as usual for good times and ever-higher participation.

Carnival for younger audiences
As is customary, the Office of Youth Services – in a collaborative effort with the Youth Centre (Casal de Joves) – has organised a Carnival-themed workshop for the week of 15 - 22 February. The week's activities will focus on the preparation of chalk Carnival masks, giving youth on the island a place to meet and socialise and helping to boost Carnival participation.

The workshop will serve as a prelude to the Youth Centre's own celebration of Carnival, to take place 28 February at their Sant Francesc location.

Likewise, students of the Verge Miraculosa School together with those of Sa Miranda Nursery School will have their own opportunity to celebrate Carnival, with the school-organised parade taking place Thursday, 27 February.

CARNAVAL PARADE 2014. Sunday, 2 March
11:00 am Sant Ferran de ses Roques Primary School.
Meeting point for groups, floats and participants in fancy dress.
12:00 noon Parade through Sant Ferran.
Music provided by Pota Lait (Ibizan Rock).
2:00 pm Sant Ferran de ses Roques Primary School.
Fancy dress ball with DJ Pharma.
2:00 pm Sant Ferran de ses Roques Primary School.
Community barbecue [free for all participants wearing fancy dress]