Carnival to remember

Melissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
WOW is the word which aptly describes festivities at the just-ended Jameson Vic Falls Carnival. Held in the resort town from December 29 to 31, the festival, which attracted over 3,000 people, was one worth attending, preferably not alone, but as a group so as to fully enjoy. The trick was not to rely on the festival’s programme, but to get a bit wild, engaging in adventurous activities like bungee jumping and crocodile cage diving offered in the resort town, especially considering that carnival celebrations mark an overturning of the norms of daily life.

With a budget of over $500,000, the Jameson Victoria Falls Carnival, now in its third year, was well organised, attracting people from all walks of life, with events and performances starting at their advertised time. There was no room for dis-organised, last minute party-lovers who learnt a lesson or two and were turned away on the first day of the carnival as the party train was fully subscribed and could not allow more people. Some who had been left two years ago were however the first to buy tickets to the train party last year, as the party was something not to miss.

The carnival, which is the brainchild of Sean Young and Blessing Munyenyiwa, kicked off with the train party — otherwise known as the booze party, with people partying on board the vintage Vic Falls Steam Train. Set against turquoise and camel-colonial décor, people jammed to the new-age sound of Vic Falls’ finest DJ, Francis. After jamming for about 45 minutes, the train parked at a bush in Jafuta where tents and PA systems had been put in place for people to party all night long. DJs Dan C, Toby2Shoes, Stavo, AceDaBass and Sebastian Dutch entertained carnivalistas in the bush with Kwekwe’s Stavo being the main man. He proved his mettle as he fused different types of genres together, compared to other DJs who had revellers sitting instead of dancing. Most DJs played electro house which ended up being monotonous. During Stavo’s hour set, the bars were rarely patronised as people were busy on the dance-floor, dancing to each tune, from local to South African to American hits.

Jameson proved why they were the ultimate drink by putting up state-of-the-art bars at the carnival venues. A token system was used where barmen did not handle cash, something which made it faster to place an order. Manned by over 100 personnel, the barmen were effective as it took an average of 45 seconds to get a drink. Over 20 mobile toilets were also conveniently placed at the bush party as revellers were urged to desist from the temptation of using the bush to relieve themselves, lest they be attacked by wild animals, considering the party was held within the national parks.

The party ended just before midnight and people were ferried back to the Vic Falls train station to attend carnival after parties across the resort town. Invuvu bar, which is strategically positioned in the Vic Falls CBD, was a hive of activity as no fee was charged to enter compared to other spots such as Shoestrings.

The second day of the carnival — the Colour Festival — was what made the carnival this year, a real carnival. Families converged on the Vic Falls Farm School to participate in the event. It indeed marked an overturning of everyday life as small children could be seen running after their usually serious parents to spray them with colourful organic powder which was provided at the venue.

Though most initially did not want to be sprayed, they ended up giving in and could be seen buying more packets of the special powder. However, those with Brazilian weaves and other fancy hairstyles had a hard time trying to protect their expensive hairdos, but ran out of luck as they were targeted by many. While people were at it, DJs CU Rage, Eleftherios Mukuka, Anthea Scholtz, Rob Macson and Nic Fourie were having fun on the decks, keeping attendees entertained.

During the course of the carnival, one could never go hungry as food vendors were strategically positioned in their numbers with an assortment from Chinese burgers, chips and chicken, snacks, to sadza and stews.

But, the stand which stole the show during the carnival was the Coca-Cola stand through its Share a Coke campaign. Festivities came to a standstill when revellers figured they could instantly have their cokes personalised. All one had to do was to buy a Coke which they would present to the stand to show that they are a consumer. The more beverages one bought, the more cans they could get personalised. It took an average of two minutes to get one’s name written on a Coke can. Many could not contain their excitement as they shared their cokes with friends.

The ColourFest ended as early as 7PM though festivities of the day did not end there as people went out to different clubs in the town, with some crossing over to neighbouring Livingstone.

The last day of the carnival was the most attended with most people arriving in the resort town on that day, probably because it was New Year’s Eve. Revellers were spoilt for choice as a lot of hotels and clubs had lined up various entertainment activities and fireworks for the night. However, most decided to spend their New Year’s Eve at the Carnival New Year’s Festival held at the Farm School. There they were treated to quality performances by Zimbabwe’s superstar, Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi, Winky D, Judgement Yard, South Africa’s Goldfish Live and Beatenberg, among other groups. Though it was a rainy night, some revellers were not deterred as they partied in the rain. The performers did not disappoint either; save for Beatenberg whose singer did not pitch up as he apparently lost his voice.

Electro-pop group, Goldfish Live, ushered revellers into the New Year with an electrifying performance though the countdown and fireworks left a lot to be desired. It did not seem as if people were counting down to get into the New Year, compared to other venues in the resort which went all out with the fireworks.

All in all, the carnival was well-organised though the country may want to consider investing in more hotels as hoteliers were visibly oversubscribed during the carnival duration, something which led to over five people sharing one room as there was nowhere to sleep.