By Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Aug. 28, 2025

   The Belize Carnival Association held its 34th annual Carnival King and Queen competition on Saturday, August 23, at the Belize City Civic Center.  (The competition is one of the pre-events leading up to the Carnival Road March.)

   “I must say, both participants and spectators were not disappointed; it went well. The participants put on a good show for the spectators, and they agreed with the [results of the] competition, knowing they knew what the rules were; so, we didn’t have any back and forth where someone said it’s unfair. It went well,” said Patrick Thompson, president of the Belize Carnival Association.

   The various carnival groups competed in two respective categories for the Carnival King and Queen competition: The Junior and Senior categories.

   The winners of each category were given a cash prize.

   “We saw three junior carnival bands and four senior bands competing for the titles of Junior King and Queen and Senior King and Queen in the competition. In the end, Sunshine Masqueraders claimed both the Junior King and Queen competitions. In the seniors, we had Mother Nature Creation claiming the Senior Queen competition, and Soca Moca claiming the Senior King competition,” said Thompson.

   He added, “The King and Queen are the key characters in the carnival group presentation that they are putting out for the 2025 season. So, their storyline … the two key elements are the Queen and the King of their storyline; and that is why they are having their competition.”

   Each group was judged on the basis of its creativity, costume design, and presentation, and the total scores will be announced after the main event, the Carnival Road March, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, in Belize City. Thompson says this year will be bigger and better.

   “All I can say is to look out for a ball of energy, beautiful costumes, because this year, I must say, all bands have stepped up their game. We will be seeing innovations by some of these bands,” he said.

   Thompson noted that next week, from September 1 to September 3, the judges will visit the various mas camps for prejudging.