The race is on to showcase the best Carnival mas options to carnival enthusiasts, ahead of the Greatest Show on Earth- T&T Carnival 2024. First up is YUMA’s launch of its 2024 presentation, ‘On Tour,’ which takes place on Saturday at the International Waterfront Centre.

The band had initially announced its band launch date for July 2nd, however due to the CARICOM heads of government meeting, which celebrated the 50th Anniversary of CARICOM at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, YUMA made the conscious decision to postpone the launch event.

Festival wear, the dress code for this year’s band launch, YUMA is expected to unveil a theme that steps outside of the Caribbean and instead, embrace and showcase “a world to celebrate.”

Each year, masqueraders anticipate band launch season- holding their breath for the unveiling of what is usually an epic fill of explosive colour, and breathtaking embellishment, particularly for the female masquerader. Over the years however, many have questioned the rationale of some bands in delivering what some feel have been near nude costumes, which offer somewhat of a less tangible understanding of the presented theme. It is understood that another mas band that is set to present its offering for 2024 is newcomer, Spirit Mas, which launches on July 31st at Drew Manor in Santa Cruz. In a post on June 16th, WOW Events head, Adrian Scoon explained that this new band will focus on customer needs, while marrying contemporary and traditional mas, “to usher a new experience.”

Carnival now a major money-making business year round, across the world, the desires of the consumer, and the outcry of even a segment of festival lovers, for more tasteful and unique costuming, should ideally, be considered. We now wait with bated breath to see what’s in store, and it kicks off with YUMA’s “On Tour.”