Panaji to kick off Carnival celebrations on V-Day

PANAJI: Goa is gearing up to celebrate four days of Carnival celebrations that will kickstart in Panaji on Valentine’s Day, February 14.
Around 100 floats will participate in the float parade which is also expected to have a huge presence of tourists. Cultural programmes and other extravaganza have been organized by respective carnival committees in Panaji and other cities.
Argentinian band Rico Samaya is slated to perform in Panaji on February 16 whereas the Red and Black traditional carnival dance will be held on February 15 at Samba Square.
Margao will have khell tiatrs, while the Carnival committees in Mapusa, Vasco, Ponda and other places have also organized cultural programmes.
Organizers said that elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and conduct of the float parade. King Momo and his entourage will lead float parades in Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa.
The Panaji parade will be flagged off by chief guest, Goa chief secretary Kewal Sharma, in the presence of tourism secretary R K Srivastava as guest of honour.
After the Carnival parade in Panaji on Saturday, Margao and Ponda will stage their float parades on February 15, Vasco and Curchorem on February 16 and Mapusa and Shiroda on February 17.
Exquisite decor have been put up in Panaji, Miramar, Porvorim and other parade towns.
The carnival celebration will be hosted by the Panaji Carnival Committee under CCP commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues.
Termed as the “people’s Carnival”, the celebrations at Samba Square will begin on February 13 after 7pm, when the Panaji byelection concludes. This celebration is planned to set the mood for the gala celebration which begins next day.
On February 14, the partying will begin after the parade when King Momo and his entourage will be brought to the Samba Square, where he will read out his decree throwing open carnival celebrations.
The celebrations will continue with entertainment, food, music etc.
Food served will be authentic Goan food. Décor will also focus on Goa.