Antigua and Barbuda will stage the official launch of its carnival celebrations today with a T-Shirt Mas’ around the city, followed by a concert at the Rising Sun Grounds.

According to reports from the Festival Commission, “The parade will begin at 4 pm at the old House of Culture, turn right onto Queen Elizabeth Highway, right onto Independence Drive, left onto Redcliffe Street, right onto Thames Street, right onto High Street, left onto Independence Drive, right up Old Parham Road, right onto Nugent Avenue, right onto Factory Road and left onto Parliament Drive for the climax”.

And at 7 pm a concert will begin and the delegates for the Queen of Carnival competition will be revealed.

The full list of Carnival events includes “an official opening on July 27, T-Shirt Mas’ on July 29, Jaycees Queen Show on July 31, Drue’s Day and Emancipation Watch Night on August 1, Caribbean Melting Pot on August 3, Calypso Monarch on August 4, Party Monarch on August 6, J’ouvert and Carnival Monday on August 7, and Parade of the Bands and Last Lap on August 8”, the commission said in a statement

This year’s budget for Carnival 2023 is $4.2 million.