IT’S that time of year again. Local socaphiles are dusting off their ‘wining’ equipment as they prepare for carnival season.

Bacchanal Jamaica leads the charge and will be unveiling this year’s offerings tonight at the opening of the festivities at Mas Camp in Kingston

Opening Night marks the beginning of ten weeks of carnival lead up fetes dubbed Bacchanal Fridays. This week DJ Smoke of Renaissance will be marshalling proceedings alongside Sparkles Production. The sponsors have promised many promotions and giveaways. Last year tickets for the opening night sold out so get your tickets early!

This year, Bacchanal Jamaica’s theme is Once upon a Dynasty, which is being brought to life in the and “the carnival spirit comes to life” in the costumes. True carnival lovers will tell you that your experience would be incomplete without playing mas or jumping. The display of freedom and glitz portrayed by the models is a reflection of what is expected and highly anticipated in Bacchanal Jamaica’s Road March on the streets of Kingston for May 1.

So anticipated in fact, that with costume registration only opened for two weeks, three costume sections have already sold out. The organisers note that opening night is must-do for those looking to get into a section, where all nine costume sections will be displayed as well as the party faithful. This year, will welcome many new first time revellers as the buzz about the carnival costumes continues on social media spaces and costumes are going fast at the Mas Camp.

Meanwhile, telecommunications giant Digicel has announced that they will be streaming Bacchanal’s opening night to its Digicel Jamaica Facebook page and the largest music page on Facebook in the Caribbean- Jamaicansmusic.com.

According to Shelly-Ann Curran, senior sponsorship manager at Digicel, “Jamaicans love Bacchanal and we want to ensure that as many people as possible get to enjoy the spirit and the vibe of the season. Being one of the largest corporate Facebook communities in Jamaica gives us the perfect opportunity to ensure that more people get to experience Bacchanal and start planning to be at Mas Camp the next week.”

And , Digicel has added a splash of beauty to this year’s carnival campaign.The company has announced that Miss Jamaica Universe 2010 and Miss Universe 2010 first Runner-Up Yendi Phillipps will be the face behind its Ming Dynasty campaign for Bacchanal 2011.

In an interview with the ‘bacchanal babe’, she confessed that, “I love carnival. I love soca music, the energy of the road march and vibe of the whole experience. As long as I’m in Jamaica at bacchanal time, you’ll find me jumping in the road march and this year will be no different.”

And sponsors Smirnoff take on the theme once upon a dynasty, Marsha Lumley, brand manager for Smirnoff, disclosed.

“We are always looking to create the perfect experience for consumers. This year, Smirnoff carries the majestic history of Russian dynasties to life, with this theme, by recreating an architectural phenomenon parallel to the rich, imperialistic appeal of Russian Empires,” Lumley said.

The two-tiered Smirnoff booth will replicate a Russian Palace showcasing rich Russian Dynasties inside of Mas Camp.

“Smirnoff’s leg of this years Carnival is ‘Expect the Unexpected’. Every week Smirnoff will unleash something new to grab revellers,” Lumley commented.

“The focal point of the booth will be a Smirnoff Faberge Egg, which will be nestled within the palace structure. Another highlight will be the Smirnoff Goblet, redeemable with a purchase of a $1,000,” she added.

“We want to make Bacchanal memorable, what better way to do it than with Smirnoff? The product is just right for the celebration of life’s memorable moments, and we want to remind our consumers to keep it real by drinking responsibly,” Lumley concluded.