Downtown Carnival Heats Up Despite Low Sponsorship

June 20, 2022 | By Supa Pea |  Oneil Smith principal of Downtown Carnival, is in high spirits ahead of this event dubbed “Soca vs Dancehall” despite poor sponsorship. The location for the event is Skateland, 121 Windward Road, East Kingston on Sunday, June 26, 2022. Action begins at 6:00 pm with emerging artiste “Vandal”  to perform “Turn and Twist” his current song.

There will be the traditional carnival fever provided by No Limit Sound system from Allman Town community. Guest selectors include DJ Rambo and DJ Trilogy.

Another scheduled  event is the Beach Carnival at 8 Miles, Bull Bay, Sunday, July 3, 2022. This will be starting at 5:00 pm with Vandal  making his second appearance.

“The final event is the Road March. Beginning  at 11:00 a.m revellers  will move on to Oxford Road thence to Knutsford Boulevard, Trafalgar Road, straight across to Waterloo Road, West Kings House Road, Constant Spring Road, Half-Way -Tree Road, climaxing at Chelsea Avenue.

“For the first time in my twentieth year organizing  Downtown Carnival, I am yet to get any cash sponsorship, except for Ammar’s, Coldfield Manufacturing and Big Ras Enterprises has become an annual sponsor. ”

“The year 2020 would have been a great year had it not been for COVID-19. For this year’s events I am hoping that we received even half of what was promised from  sponsors last year.”

“However, Carnival fans are still looking out for the excitement which usually comes with my showcase. Right now, I am praying to make enough funds from my first event and sales from costumes which are being sold at affordable prices,” Smith says.

Born in Kingston, he attended Donald Quarrie High School and did a  Fashion Designing course, in addition to a course in videography at CPTC (Creative Production and Training Centre). Specializing mainly in female fashion, Smith quickly became popular, organizing the highly successful, Miss Inner-city Beauty and Talent Contest.

” This was in 1999, the main  objective  to tear down political barriers and make communities united. It worked well, but I wanted  to spread  this unity to communities in West and East Kingston.” Smith organized his first Downtown Carnival in 2002 and became known as “The Carnival Man” making dozens of costumes each year. Part proceeds of these events go towards charities.