By Aaabigayle McIntosh

Two pageants one weekend, a signal of what to expect when the full slate of the 2023 carnival festivities is launched next week

The historic Antigua Recreations Ground, commonly referred to Carnival City, will be re-ignited once more with sights, sounds, revelry and so much more.

ARG comes alive Saturday evening with the 2023 Mr. and Miss Teenage Pageant, which will feature 14 young people representing several secondary schools across the country.

And again, on Sunday night, July 23, by the Miss Queen of Carnival Pageant, dubbed – the Enchanted Seven, featuring seven of Antigua and Barbuda’s finest young women who are vying for the crown.

This year’s event signals a bit return for the country as it is the first time since the pandemic that the full slate of activities are being rolled out.

The pageants are being held outside the usual week of activities to afford the winners of the two competitions to be apart of the Opening Day Parade.

It will also give the new Carnival Queen additional time to prepare for the Jaycees Caribbean Quen Show which will feature contestants from other islands.

Anticipation is also high as the finalists for the Calypso Monarch and the Jumpy and Groovy Party Monarch competitions have all been named.

The 2023 Panorama Competition is also on the cards for this year after been postponed in 2021.

Carnival, dubbed the greatest summer festival, runs from July 27^th to August 8^th, 2023.