Dear Editor,

As a Carnival lover and reveller I joined the parade this year after a COVID-19 hiatus and was so thrilled to be back.

The organisation, the timeliness, the atmosphere, and the easy access to food and drinks need to be commended.

I also want to highlight that Sunday’s happenings signalled the return of a real big Carnival to Jamaica after the pandemic and gives us an opportunity to show off Jamaica and its vibrant culture to the world. Millions of dollars were generated just on Sunday alone, from the small streetside vendor to the mega companies that executed, including Zoukie Trucking, who I think was the day’s winner!

Many have come out in arms about the garbage piled up following Sunday’s Carnival parade. Throughout the parade route there were bins provided and garbage receptacles alongside the drinks trucks. Additionally, representatives from Recycling Partners of Jamaica worked diligently to collect garbage. My experience with these representatives was very pleasant and commendations must be given for their efforts in helping to alleviate the build-up of waste along the Xodus Jamaica Carnival route. Xodus engaged the garbage collection agency to clean up after its parade as well.

Interestingly, there has been a lot of talk about garbage, and several people have been pointing fingers towards bands and organisers. Let me just say that I witnessed first-hand a number of Carnival-viewing structures that were erected along the roadsides where no garbage receptacles were provided and no garbage was being collected.

These sites attracted hundreds of onlookers, none of whom seemed concerned about the filth they were creating by dumping their junk on the pavements. In fact, the
Jamaica Observer carried images of fast-food boxes that were not a part of any road parade, how did this happen? It must have been done by individuals who were not in the parades and were free to come and go.

I love my little island, but we all know that many of us are just plain nasty! A good case in point is the state of our gullies!

For the naysayers, take your fingers off of the parades and look in the mirror! To the authorities, these watch parties must be monitored too!

Sharon Silvester

shari.silvie@gmail.com