When you think about the scale of fete production, one can’t help but put the carnival fetes of Trinidad & Tobago right at the top of the list.

For Carnival 2023, I went back to some personal favorites and added a few more to the repertoire. I had a good time in general, but I can’t help feeling like somethingwas missing…

Scorch DDI
AM Beach
Beachhouse
Sunrise
Mecka
Soca Brainwash
Vale
Red Ants J’ouvert

I was also supposed to attend AM Bush but — and I am NOT JOKING — a whole murder and crime scene basically kept us hostage in our neighborhood and we were unable to leave the community.

It was definitely a lesson to remember that real life is still happening even while you’re having the time of your life, so always stay alert and exercise care.

Anyway, here we go!

Scorch DDI

Type: Cooler Boat Ride

Price: $74.90

Location: Harbour Master Boat, Chaguaramas

Timing: 1pm - 7pm

The Best Of it: The energy was amazing and the vibes were UP. It was the most wonderful reunion, seeing faces I had not seen since 2020 and meeting people I have spoken to virtually for the past 3 years.

I had heard a lot about this fete as a Carnival Wednesday staple and I decided to add it last minute because my afternoon was free and I realized I did not have a boat ride.

Overall, I had a fun time roaming the multiple levels of the boat. The top deck was jam-packed with barely any space to move, but if you found your little area, you could fete in that spot. But don’t expect to have room to wild out. The middle level had the most space and it was surprising that there weren’t more people there. I wouldn’t say the boat was over capacity - the patrons were just not spread out. Most stayed firmly at the outdoor level.

The Worst Of It: Does any boat ride leave on time? It almost seems like a moot point these days because you can guarantee a delayed departure. However, this late start was overkill for me. We did not leave until about 3:45pm after an advertised time of 1pm.

Now, I will take partial blame for this next issue: I did not bring a single bottle for this cooler boat ride. We were in a rush the entire day and had no time to grab liquor, but I assumed the bar will sell alcoholic drinks. That has always been my experience on cooler boat rides — granted, outside of Trinidad & Tobago — so I was expecting to be able to purchase a drink or bottle at the bar. That kind of dampened the mood at the beginning, but Scorch came through with the complimentary Puncheon snow cones. Friends on the boat were also very generous in sharing their stash.

Will I Go Back?: It was a good time but ultimately it was just something to do. I am not rushing to return. I may just have got my fill of boat rides in general.

Rating: 3.5/5

AM Beach

Type: All-Inclusive Beach Fete

Price: $149.80

Location: Maracas Beach

Timing: 5am - 11am

The Best Of it: We arrived at around 6am and it was a great vibe from beginning to end! The food lines this year were not as long and moved pretty quickly. The food choices were also quite vast as compared to previous years. Same with the drinks — the bartenders moved fast and efficiently.

This was the first fete I attended during this carnival trip that had performances. Seeing Skinny Fabulous, Nailah Blackman, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons was fantastic. I got in the spirit and enjoyed their sets. I thought the Viking & Viqueen’s set happened a bit late into the fete and we decided to leave towards the end.

The Worst Of It: Why was the beach blocked? One of the best things about A.M. Beach for me has been beach access - the ability to frolic, wade and swim while listening to soca music.

Will I Go Back? I had an amazing time so I would return.

Rating: 4.5/5

Beachhouse

Type: All-Inclusive

Price: $160.50

Location: Sevilla Golf Course, Couva

Timing: 2pm - 8:30pm

The Best Of it: The decor was lovely and the food, for the most part, was very good. The promoters added performances this year and though we missed most of them, we were able to catch Iwer George. I don’t know if I would call it a highlight though, but it did break the monotony.

The Worst Of It: My biggest complaint was the location. Traffic to Couva was awful which totally killed the vibe for me. The trip from Port of Spain took about two hours and it was a bit challenging finding the right entrance to the venue. I was ready to turn right back around and go to bed when we arrived at sunset.

There was something off about Beachhouse this year. I don’t know…it felt a bit lower budget. The decor seemed to be minimal, the food was not as wide of a spread as it typoically is and I was not feeling the music. Also, they skimped on the bubbly. There is typically Moet chanpagne but this time there was a non-descript brand of prosecco.

If nothing else, Beachhouse will always end on time and this time was no different. Because of traffic, we arrived after 6pm and so we only had about 2 - 2.5 hours at the fete. So it was a little disappointing that we did not have more time. But what was worse was that getting out of the fete took forever as well. One of the gates was closed off and so all cars had to use one exit. Who was in charge of logistics?

Will I Go Back?: Not at this time. Historically, I have always been on the fence about Beachhouse and this third experience has swayed me to the negative side.

Rating: 2.5/5

Sunrise Breakfast Party

Type: All Inclusive

Price: $160.76

Location: Green Meadows, Santa Cruz

Timing: 4am - 12pm

The Best Of it: Sunrise is always a scene! This year was a little lowkey for me fun-wise but even a mild affair at Sunrise is a premium experience.

We were held up at the entrance, but when we finally got in, we went straight to the food court. I could have spent the whole time there because my belly was satisfied – from classic Western breakfast dishes to Jamaican and Trini cuisine. The lines were very manageable in my opinion and I was able to sample a little bit of everything.

Like 2020, I arrived later than planned so note to self (and to you) again: Aim to get to Sunrise by 6am.

Before we made our way to the crowd at the stage, we passed through the A/C lounge for a little reprieve from the heat outside. There was some seating, makeup touch ups and foot massages. The champagne bar was a very welcome addition and there was even a heel check-in area for people like me who insist on wearing platforms to fetes for the sake of fashion.

There was one long bar, maybe about 20 meters long, that served premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There were pockets of the bar that were packed but overall, I really liked having a single bar with multiple bartenders. I just walked further down to get served faster.

The energy of the crowd was amazing! I love when people are having genuine fun and not styling for others the entire time. There were a few performances but I didn’t even pay attention – I was having a good time with my friends. Even the quick rain shower did not deter the vibes. Many people had the signature Sunrise parasols and continued to enjoy themselves. It was a good time!

The Worst Of It: We arrived at the venue at around 8:30am but were waiting outside for 30-45 minutes waiting to get scanned. The rumor (or is it fact?) was that the fete had been oversold and so the promoters had to negotiate with the police and fire marshalls on site to allow additional patrons inside. That is abysmal and awful if true. How can people pay for tickets – and Sunrise is not cheap! – and be at risk of not getting into the fete? Some would argue that we should have arrived earlier. That’s not a resolution nor it is even a rebuttal in this situation. If the party is between 5am – 12pm as advertised, I should be able to get in at 11:59am if I so choose. Hello?

To my knowledge, this is the first time this has happened at a Sunnation event. Anyway, I hope the team plans better in the future and this does not happen again.

Will I Go Back?: Yes, definitely.

Rating: 4/5

Mecka

Type: Cooler Fete

Average Price: $60

Location: Queens Park Savannah

Timing: 9pm - 3am

The Best Of it: Friday night was supposed to be a relaxing evening – the original plan was to get some rest before AM Bush (HA!) but the schedule was looking blank and Little Miss Hot Foot had to add something.

The concept of Mecka intrigued me right from the start – a fete that incorporates traditional and modern elements of fete culture. And that it did. It was a cooler fete with injections of Caribbean culture all around.

First of all – the set was amazing. That stage was wow! The art was intricate and gorgeous, and the lights made it even more so.

There were circular podiums placed in different parts of the venue, right in the middle of the action. On them were mas folklore characters, such as Dame Lorraine and the Midnight Robber, with whom you could interact and dance. The moko jumbies moving through the crowd was also pretty cool.

It was a cooler fete but as is expected from Wow Events, they have access to many free bars via their sponsors. I believe I saw an Absolut bar, as well as Punchy Punch. There were likely more. So one really did not need a cooler.

Be that as it may, we decided to take advantage of their advance cooler concierge and ordered a drink package that we could pick up upon arrival. It was a very smooth process. The pricing was also very fair – only about $155 for 4 full-size liquor bottles, juice and sodas, water bottles, ice, Mecka-branded cups and the cooler. And the cooler was actually really good quality.

We did not stay too long because we wanted to get home to prepare for AM Bush (HA!) so we did not catch all the performances. We did see Olatunji perform and he’s quite a showman! I enjoyed his set. He’s underrated and he did not perform enough of his songs.

I can see this fete growing and becoming a can’t-miss Friday night fete. Switch your schedule up and check it out next carnival!

The Worst Of It: Nothing really.

This is not a con but for people who are looking for a fete that is packed and crowded, this one was not. It did not feel empty but it was certainly concentrated in one area of the large expanse of the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Will I Go Back?: Yes, I would be open to going back.

Rating: 3.75/5

Soca Brainwash

Type: All Inclusive, Festival-style

Average Price: $205.75

Location: St. Mary’s College Grounds

Timing: 11am - 6pm

The Best Of it: Have we finally come to terms with the fact that this is not a fete? When you accept that singular fact, you will view the Soca Brainwash experience in a different light.

It’s the type of fete where you should plan to have your brunch, late lunch and dinner at, i.e. get there early and pace yourself. If you approach it as a regular fete, you may be sorely disappointed.

Because it is a festival, it is as much about the party experience as it is about the social experience with the photo-ops, video booths, field games and sit-down areas. Entertainment is not solely relegated to the music and the dancing.

The theme was a Birthday celebration, commemorating10 years of Soca Brainwash. The décor matched the theme perfectly, with lots of dessert, candy and cake motifs. I also loved that there was distinct décor from past Soca Brainwash stagings. It was a fond reminder of previous experiences and it was nice to reminisce. The field was a burst of colour and giant games, like croquet and scrabble. Those were fun!

The food this year was really good too. The lines weren’t bad when we arrived either and moved pretty fast.

It was almost sunset by the time we went to the fetting crowd and I had a good time for that final hour.

The Worst Of It: It is truly the same issue every year – the lack of cell connectivity is actually insane in this Year of the Lord 2023. At $200 a ticket, I think we deserve hotspots through out the fete. This is the type of fete where you need to be comfortable with the possibility of losing your friends for the entire party. My advice is to choose a landmark to congregate, instead of walking around trying to find each other. You will be less frustrated.

Will I Go Back?: Yes, i love this fete-ival!

Rating: 4/5

Vale Breakfast Party

Type: All-Inclusive

Average Price: $155.15

Location: Drew Manor, Santa Cruz

Timing: 4am - 11am

The Best Of it: I thoroughly enjoyed myself! If you’re looking for a Sunday breakfast all-inclusive fete, Vale can’t be beat in my opinion. This was our last fete so we were ready to turn up! There was really no pacing myself. I had the rest of the morning, afternoon and evening to rest and recuperate so it was operation: go hard. And that I did 🥹 I was chasing Don Julio with Moet. The music was good and the energy was UP!

I did not eat a lot but the food court set up was cute and way better positioned when compared to the last time I attended Vale. The food was delicious as usual.

I fully appreciated the bathroom trailers. My friends laugh when I make a big deal about restrooms but think about it: we just went through a whole pandemic, so how porta-potties are still a thing after that is very embarrassing. Please! There are some people who had to be taught how to wash their hands with soap in 2020, so as a society, are we really reverting to the cesspool that is porta-potties where flushing is optional and you’re lucky when you’re able to generate water in the portable sinks via foot pump?

So I ALWAYS appreciate when promoters care. Thank you for real bathrooms with stalls, soap, sinks and air conditioning.

The Worst Of It: Ok guys, let’s just agree that the venue is too small for the number of attendees at this point. It was overcrowded. You could barely turn without grazing the shoulder or hip of someone else, and that was everywhere, including near the bars and food court. There were no areas to get a reprieve.

Will I Go Back?: I would be open to it but I am open to other events on Carnival Sunday.

Rating: 3/5

Red Ants J’ouvert

Type: All-Inclusive J’ouvert

Price: $117.64

Meeting Point: Mucurapo Road (near Fatima College)

Timing: 2am - 8am

The Best Of It: The Red Ants experience is always fun for me! I had a fantastic time despite being tired. As always, there was lots of paint, lots of powder, lots of mud. The energy was great. There were numerous drink trucks so getting a drink was pretty easy. Did I probably ingest paint – you bet, but luckily it was not an open cup.

The highlights for me were: going down St James, as well as crossing the Socadrome stage. That was probably the first time I understood the hype of “Hard Fete”. The vibes were elevated when that song played, which makes sense as I have always seen it as a perfect j’ouvert song.

Red Ants always has cool themes and this year was no different. The theme was “Illuminants” and we all got lighted tutus and other glow accessories.

The Worst of It: The only complaint I have is that it seemed to end a bit abruptly for my liking. After the high of crossing the stage, it was suddenly over. I realized there was another j’ouvert band right behind us so maybe that was the reason.

To be fair, I probably wouldn’t attend because I would be rushing to get ready for the road, BUT it would be nice to have a post-party.

Will I Go Back? I had a good time but I am open to trying a new band.

Rating: 4/5

Your turn! 2023 was an interesting year right? Tell me what your fete experience fed were like. are there any fetes that are a must-attend?