Mayer Matalon, Entertainment Reporter 
WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER: Models display the costumes for this year's Jamaica Carnival at the launch at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, St. Andrew, on Monday.
SUPREME VENTURES launched what promises to be a new, improved and very exciting
carnival season on Monday. The launch was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
It began with a presentation, which contained an overview of last year's festivities and plans for carnival to better represent Jamaica's musical and cultural diversity.
Present for the launch was the president of Supreme Ventures, Mr. Brian George, who remarked on his company's objective, saying: "This is more than just a party for us.
Carnival is an opportunity for entertainment and by extension tourism. Supreme Ventures recognises the value of
entertainment for the economy."
CHANGES
Jillian Lee-Samuels of Jamaica Carnival outlined the details of the changes made to carnival this year. Carnival will be spreading to more rural areas, as well as many new Kingston locations. Events have been added for both the older and younger crowds, including Retro Socacalypso at Weekenz on March 4 and the Wild Spirits series from D.A.R.K Entertainment on February 26, March 12 and April 2. There will be a free street dance on Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, along with a long list of other events.
The festivities will kick off on Saturday, February 12, with the Short Shorts party on Tropical Beach, Montego Bay and will culminate with the Kingston Road Parade and grand finale at the National Stadium car park, St. Andrew on Sunday, April 3.
Founder of Jamaica Carnival, Byron Lee, announced that he has assembled a young team to continue the expression of his vision of carnival in Jamaica. He also bids farewell to the head of security for carnival and lifelong friend, Ken Hing, who is retiring this year and gives his thanks to all those organisations involved with carnival that have given their continued support over the years.
CAPTURING PUBLIC ATTENTION
David McBean, president and CEO of major associate sponsor CVM Communications Group Ltd., stated that his company's mission is to draw the wider
public into the festivities, and they will do so through television broadcasting and also through a number of competitions,
including a cooperative effort with co sponsor The Gleaner Company Ltd., in the form of a dance competition entitled 'Winey Winey'. CVM will also be having a 'Watch and Win' competition, in which the public will be invited to judge the band that best embodies the spirit of carnival.
The presentation of the
sponsorship cheque was made from Mr. George of Supreme Ventures to Mr. Lee of Jamaica Carnival, followed by a short word from Tara Playfair,
marketing and communications manager of Cable and Wireless (C&W), another sponsor of Jamaica Carnival. Ms. Playfair announced C&W' participation in the festivities in the form of their 'Text for Tickets'
competition and their popular bmobile text screen.
