Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire says he is fully in support of extending the hours of Saint Lucia’s Carnival celebrations, calling for greater flexibility and collaboration with law enforcement to ensure a more fulfilling experience for revelers.
During a recent discussion with media personnel, Dr. Hilaire stated, “There’s no doubt in my mind that I want to see it,” referring to longer Carnival road hours. While acknowledging that the final decision rests with the police due to safety and security concerns, he expressed confidence in their ability to manage the situation.
“With the extra power they have, they can deploy their resources in a way that will allow revelers to have an extended celebration on the road,” he stated.
Currently, the Carnival “jump-up” ends at 6 p.m.—a cut-off time Dr. Hilaire believes is unnecessarily early.
“There’s, in my view, no reason why we should end at 6 o’clock. We shouldn’t,” he said, while also noting the operational challenges faced by the police. He confirmed that further discussions are planned to explore options, especially with the addition of police rangers to boost the security presence.
Dr. Hilaire suggested that with additional lighting and a stronger police presence along the route, the event could safely be extended until 8 p.m.
“It’s not a very long road that we cannot police,” he argued. “The police have done a tremendous job over the last two years, and we need to commend them for that, but also work with them to enhance the overall experience.”
The Minister also advocated for a return of cultural elements to the Carnival route, particularly on Tuesday.
“I hope we can bring back steelpan on the road, at least on the Tuesday,” he said, noting the importance of traditional groups in enriching the cultural dimension of the festivities.
In his remarks, Dr. Hilaire, the MP for Castries South, also highlighted the need for inclusivity, emphasizing opportunities for community-based carnivals to give more Saint Lucians—especially those unable to afford full costumes—a chance to participate.
“We continue to work with them because the whole aim is to give every Saint Lucian an opportunity,” he said, despite challenges with integrating smaller, established community events into the national schedule.
Addressing public conduct during Carnival, Dr. Hilaire urged responsibility and moderation. “We want people to be conscious of their behavior. Carnival is not an excuse to behave in an unacceptable manner,” he stressed, adding that while enjoying drinks is part of the experience, participants should stay hydrated and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
On the broader economic impact of national events, Dr. Hilaire pointed to Carnival and Jazz as significant contributors. He cited July as the peak month for visitor arrivals, driven largely by Carnival, with over 20,000 entries recorded in the first three weeks alone.
While acknowledging the complexity of measuring exact returns from such events, he cautioned against simplistic calculations. “It’s more than just numbers. You have to measure what it created for the local economy—community events, jobs, and international exposure for Saint Lucia,” he explained.
Though precise figures are not yet available, the Minister affirmed that the economic impact of Carnival is “quite significant,” and efforts are ongoing to better quantify its value to the country in the future.
