Are you willing to fork out between $5,000 to $15,000 for Carnival fetes and mas, using your savings and borrowing if you have to? This is the average figure mas lovers are willing to spend to enjoy the revelry this season. In a Sunday Guardian poll on Facebook, many Carnival lovers said the season can cost them from $5,000 upwards—with an average spend of $12,000 to $15,000.
Some people dip into their savings while others head to credit unions and banks for loans in order to have a good time for the Carnival season. The Carnival season, which has already started, will culminate on March 4 and 5 with the parade of the bands. It means to enjoy the long season of revelry, mas lovers will have to dig deeper into their pockets.
There are 45 new fetes added on for this Carnival season—bringing the current total to 200.
There are 186 events before Carnival and 14 to “cool down” after Carnival. In January, party animals have a choice of 32 listed events—with eight fetes taking place in the first weekend of the year. Twelve of those are new fetes.
The lion’s share of the partying will be done in February with 98 events taking place on the shortest month of the year. On February 28 alone, there are 15 events planned.
In March, partygoers can look forward to 76 fetes, with 14 planned after Carnival Monday and Tuesday. On March 1, which is Fantastic Friday, there are 23 listed events.
Carnival lovers
Carnival lover Rhian Ramkissoon said although his fete tickets and costumes can amount to more than $20,000, he budgets himself throughout the year and takes advantage of early bird specials so he can afford it.
“I sometimes try to not to remember how much it costs,” Ramkissoon said with a laugh when asked about his expenses.
But after a quick calculation, he said his fete tickets for the season are costing him $14,890.
“That is for tickets alone but there are some events where if I get a complimentary (ticket) I will go and if I don’t and I want to attend, I’ll buy the ticket. But that price includes all the ultra all-inclusives that I want to attend.”
If he does not attend the all-inclusives, Ramkissoon will spend $7,760. That does not include the cost of his costume in the band Lost Tribe which is $5,390.
He said in order to afford his love for Carnival, he starts paying for his costume and all-inclusives months before the season starts.
“For the Carnival costume you are paying your deposit in August/September, the cost is split so you don’t feel the full impact of shelling out $5,000 all at one go and it’s the same thing with the tickets, some of the Carnival week fetes go on sale in October so that gives you an ease.
“Soka in Moka had an early bird special, Bishops was the same until the end of 2018, so if you are smart, you will take advantage of these opportunities as they are given and if you know this is something you are going to be doing every year, you will budget yourself accordingly just like every other cost.”
Ramkissoon is also part of a group of 60 people called Cooler Guard that attends most cooler fetes.
Self-professed 58-year-old Carnival Jumbie Ken said getting the best value for your money was all about knowing which fetes to attend.
“I can’t remember not being a Carnival Jumbie, I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Ken said.
“I usually hit every all-inclusive on the weekends, there are ten weekends until Carnival and it’s every Saturday and Sunday.”
Ken said in the past he has spent $30,000 on fetes alone. That does not include the $10,000 loan he takes for the costumes for him and his wife.
“Now I mostly use my savings and I cut back drastically after Carnival, I know where to cut back and restrict myself for the rest of the year to be able to afford my Carnival. This tactic has been developed over years of attending fetes and playing mas.”
He said he and his wife also save money by purchasing their fete outfits abroad when there are sales.
“It makes it a lot cheaper buying during sales and when we are travelling, she will usually pick our outfits and we buy way in advance. It’s a lot easier than shopping for clothes during the season. It is something we have perfected over time.”
He said although he has spent a lot of money on Carnival over the years, he would not change anything.
“The best memories I have are from going to fete—those memories keep me going and take me to the next level, I don’t want to miss those opportunities at all.”
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This year, he plans to spend between $12,000 to $15,000 for the fetes.
“I am not going to the any of the new fetes, my taste has changed a lot, I have been very selective and I mostly go to events where there is a more mature crowd so I can enjoy myself.”
Jonell Roxanne Salazar, another Carnival junkie, said she was willing to fork out US$100 per fete. Salazar said her Carnival expenses can run upwards of $15,000 TT.
“My max budget is $100 US for a fete. When I go to ultra all-inclusives, they are paid for by corporate sponsors. I don’t really keep a tally on my Carnival expenses but it can run anywhere from $15,000 and up.”
Salazar said she was not a “back line chick” (band section) so that cost includes her front-line costume, professional make-up, hair, and Monday wear.
The Sunday Guardian also reached out to several make-up artists who said bookings for “mas make-up” can cost between $350 to $1,000.
Alicia Walters, who owns Sassy Suite, said she begins work around 2 am on Carnival Monday.
“On Tuesdays, it is sometimes from midnight,” Walters said. “I advise people to take a Carnival make-up class if they have basic skills to learn how to embellish and extend the longevity of their application.”
Sabeerah Mohammed, owner at Beauty by Sabeerah said she offers discounts to clients who want their make-up done on both days.
From all-inclusives to cooler fetes
For ultra all-inclusive fetes such as the Hyatt’s annual all-inclusive Lime—a “Diamond” ticket will cost you $3,897. Another all-inclusive, Soka in Moka costs $800. The average price for an all-inclusive event is $1,000.
But if you can’t afford those events, there are a range of cooler fetes, where partygoers can bring their own alcohol, that cost approximately $300 for a ticket.
The Xperience Cooler Fete on January 19 at the Brian Lara Stadium, which features soca king Machel Montano, cost $394 for a VIP ticket and $292 for a general admission ticket.
And while partygoers can pick and choose which fetes they attend, if you love Carnival, playing mas is a must and usually accounts for most of the money spent during the season.
According to My Carnival Bands, an online platform that allows users to view and purchase costumes from various bands, the most expensive costume comes from the band Showtime costing $10,000 for the platinum in their Spartan section. You can add on Monday wear for an additional $100 and either a tankini ($60) or boy shorts ($50.) When the Sunday Guardian checked the band’s website on Friday, that all-inclusive section was completely sold out.
The cheapest costume listed for revellers in Port-of-Spain is a back line with the band Legacy and their 2019 Colours of Hope presentation, costing approximately $1,586.
The costume features a tiara, neck and arm bands, decorated bra, belt, and bikini.
For a feather collar, you have to pay an additional $570.
Aaron Kalicharan, manager of the Kalicharan band in San Fernando said his band offers a $1,000 section and front-line costumes costing between $2,500 to $3,500 in an all-inclusive section.
“Our ultra front line pieces are sold out already and those include access to a moving float where revellers can have their cocktails and party on the float while still being a part of the band,” Aaron said.