Colourful costumes, infectious music and plenty of tiny smiles transformed the streets of Bisee and Summersdale as toddlers and preschoolers from Happy Tots Nursery and the Children’s Happy Place Developmental Centre staged their second annual Carnival Parade, delighting onlookers while celebrating Saint Lucia’s rich cultural heritage.
From babies to five-year-olds, the young masqueraders proudly paraded in vibrant costumes, giving the community a heartwarming display of Carnival spirit while learning about one of the island’s most cherished traditions.
Administrator Kim Kyle said the parade is more than a fun outing it is designed to immerse children in Saint Lucian culture from an early age. “This is our second annual parade for the little ones. It is a way to celebrate our culture,” Kyle said. “From our babies all the way to our four and five-year-olds, it’s a celebration for the children to enjoy Carnival, understand what the season is about and experience part of our Saint Lucian culture.”
She explained that cultural education is woven into the schools’ curriculum, making the parade a hands-on extension of classroom learning. “It is important for children to begin learning about their culture at a very early stage. We want them to understand what our culture is about and how we celebrate it. Instilling that appreciation from infancy is very important to us,” she said.
The excitement extended well beyond the children, with parents enthusiastically embracing the event after preparing costumes weeks in advance. Many are already calling for next year’s parade to include both parents and children in full costume.
This year’s Hawaiian hula-inspired theme combined bright floral colours with local influences, including the hibiscus, creating a vibrant celebration of Carnival and Saint Lucia’s natural beauty.
Buoyed by overwhelming community support, organizers say planning for 2027 will begin early, with ambitions to expand the parade into an even bigger family celebration. “From the feedback we’ve received, next year’s parade could be twice as big,” Kyle said. “We’re already looking at how we can work even more closely with parents and make it an even more memorable experience.”
