Courts Fuels Canouan Carnival 2026 with $12,000 Gold Sponsorship 

By S.Browne. Updated 10:50 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Unicomer Courts St Vincent Ltd has reaffirmed its commitment to community and cultural development in Canouan with a $12,000 cash and kind sponsorship as a Gold Sponsor of this year’s Canouan Rural Carnival activities.

The sponsorship was presented on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Unicomer Courts St Vincent Ltd in Kingstown.

President of Club Nuevo and the Canouan Carnival Committee, Hansel Henry, welcomed the contribution, describing it as a significant boost to the organisation’s efforts to stage another successful carnival season.

“The sponsorship means a lot to us, especially in times like these where sponsors are reluctant, but a sponsorship like this will certainly help to offset some of our costs,” he said. “We must thank Courts for partnering with Club Nuevo since 2022.”

According to Henry, the sponsorship will be utilised across the various carnival activities being hosted by Club Nuevo throughout the season.

He said patrons can expect another exciting edition of the festival, which carries this year’s theme, The Greatest Escape, and has earned a reputation for delivering a unique carnival experience.

“Canouan Carnival is often described as being too small to be the national event, but too big to be a rural carnival,” he noted. “Expect the same high Vincy energy. As the saying goes, ‘We Doe Party Normal’.”

This year’s festivities will include a wide range of events designed to appeal to residents and visitors alike. The programme features Carnival Village, Night Mas, the Miss Grenadines Pageant, Kiddies Carnival, Tequila, Soca 360, Baywatch, SWAP, J’Ouvert and Street Jam, all of which are expected to contribute to the vibrant atmosphere that has become synonymous with Canouan Carnival.

Among the highlights for this year’s festivities is the return of pageantry, with contestants set to represent the islands of the Grenadines in the Miss Grenadines Pageant. Night Mas, which Henry said originated in Canouan, has also returned to the calendar of events hosted by Club Nuevo.

The committee’s objectives remain focused on maintaining what it believes is the safest carnival in St Vincent and the Grenadines while attracting visitors from both within and outside the country.

“Our goals are to provide what we have been known for: the safest carnival here in SVG, violence free, satisfy our patrons and attract visitors from all over the world, not just from SVG,” Henry explained. “We love when the Airbnbs are booked out for the season. In a nutshell, we want to boost the economy of the island.”

Henry pointed to the carnival’s impact on local businesses, noting that the event benefits a wide cross-section of the community.

“From the Airbnbs, the taxi driver, salons, shopkeepers and even the man selling ice, everyone sees economic growth during the carnival season,” he said. “In fact, local businesses look forward to Canouan Carnival more than any other event on the island.”

Meanwhile, Marketing Officer for Unicomer Courts St. Vincent Ltd, Lisa Veira said:

“Courts is honoured to be a sponsor of Canouan Carnival 2026. As a company deeply rooted in the communities we serve, we recognize the importance of supporting events that preserve cultural heritage, foster community pride, and create opportunities for local businesses and residents. We are proud to stand alongside the people of Canouan in celebrating one of the island’s most anticipated events and wish all participants and patrons a safe, enjoyable, and memorable Carnival season.”

The impact of the Canouan carnival on preserving and promoting the island’s cultural identity was also discussed. Mr. Henry said:

“As a small island with a population of about 2,000 people, highly influenced by other cultures and a large working population not originally from Canouan, our identity, culture and traditions can easily be lost,” he said.

Through initiatives such as Carnival Village, residents are encouraged to showcase their talents, products and businesses. Henry highlighted last year’s seamoss workshop for children and revealed that a new song competition will debut this year to provide a platform for emerging soca artistes on the island.

Reflecting on the festival’s continued growth, Henry noted that Canouan Carnival was recognised as the Most Improved Rural Carnival in 2025 and expressed confidence that this year’s event would continue that momentum.

Patrons can also look forward to what Henry described as the unique experience that has become synonymous with the event.

“Canouan Carnival is the Ultimate Summer Event in the Grenadines,” he said.

He encouraged people to secure their travel and accommodation arrangements early.

“If you have not yet booked that accommodation or called up your friend or family, now is the time to do so. You don’t want to be one of those saying, ‘if ah been know’,” he said.

“Canouan Carnival is the safest festival throughout SVG. From the Village to the Street, every beat, every colour, every moment is pure magic.

“Where culture meets luxury and pageantry.

“The countdown is on. Nine days of pure island energy. Canouan Carnival 2026.”

END