Mayor Says Carnival Should Be Postponed If Rains Persist

And while, that was the situation in Belize City, News Five received reports of flooding across the country, especially in the west where several streets were seen underwater in Bullet Tree, Cayo. But all roads lead to the Old Capital tomorrow for the 2024 Carnival Road March. Today, the Chairman of the National Celebrations Committee, Minister Francis Fonseca told News Five that based on the expert advice of the Chief Met Officer, the Belize Carnival Association, in consultation with the committee, will proceed with the road march as scheduled.  When we asked Mayor Wagner for his thoughts, he had a different view.

 

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“You have to play it by ear. I believe you have to be able to see that the rains will to some extent continue and you don’t want indecision, you don’t want indecisiveness. Carnival is about an activity where you want the sun, an experience. So if you are in and out and not sure, you will turn people off. So you have to be decisive in your decision making, will you have it or not have it. So you have to start making plans, if you are not having it then what other dates are we looking at. People will not go and stand up in rain, it is a reality. And so, the organizers have to quickly decide, even if the rains stops, will the streets still have moisture? Will it still draw the same sort of excitement? I am all for the carnival being celebrated on another day?”