Leroy Smith, Band Leader, Fort Revelers

“Mr. Thompson and the board of the Carnival association promised us that even if we don’t have our count to take part he will still grant one of us the third place prize but he disqualified both of us and he said he send back the money to NCC. So I am asking NCC, did they receive the third place money back?”

                      Patrick Thompson

Patrick Thompson, President, Belize Carnival Association

“In our rule book again, state that to be eligible you must have 100 revelers, right? And the two bands, yes, they did not, they competed in the competition and one of the bands yes indeed had came in third based on points, but the thing is that they did not have the amount of revelers, so that was what made them being disqualified. It is not that we disqualified them for anything else, it was that they just didn’t have the numbers. And that was one of our key thing when it comes to being eligible. And we sing this to these bands over and over and yes, when they talk about the cash prize is that we are the ones who would, we don’t get these prize money in our account. All right? NCC is the entity that provide the prize. And when we have our winners, we forward those winners to NCC who deals with the prizes for our events, and they’re the one who issued the check that we give at the award night.”

Shane Williams

“So the association doesn’t have that prize money as they’re alluding?”

Patrick Thompson

“No, we, we don’t have that money because then there were nobody to, so NCC did not write that check for that third place because they were, they were disqualified. They did not meet the criteria.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Carnival Clash: Band Leader Confronts President Over Missing Prize first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Shane Williams, Reporting

Tension is spilling into the open tonight within Belize’s carnival scene. Band leaders, long frustrated behind the scenes, are now openly challenging the Belize Carnival Association’s leadership and calling for a shake‑up. They say the real issue isn’t costumes or competition, it’s trust. According to them, the association has failed to be transparent about prize money and hasn’t been accountable to the very bands that keep carnival alive.

                 Pauline Bradley

Pauline Bradley, Junior Band Leader, Soca Massive

“My biggest concern is whenever we in any competition, whether it is the king, the queen, the miss carnival, the junior and the senior road march. At the end of the September ceremony we get one cheque. We don’t’ know whether we win, the amount we win for first, second, third for king and queen. We don’t know what we win for first, second and third for road march. All we know we just on cheque. One total amount. So we don’t get a break down of the prizes.”

According to Bradley, that lack of clarity leaves band leaders unsure of how prize totals are calculated. Veteran senior band leader Audrey Bradley says the inconsistencies go even further.

                          Audrey Bradley

Audrey Bradley, Band Leader, Soca Moca

“Who goes into a competition not knowing weh wi wa win, weh wi wa get? We the band leaders. Fi years wi di du that. Personally I’ve won the last five years and I personally can till unu I’ve gotten five different amounts, not the same. And most of the time I’ve won the same thing.”

For larger bands, the financial strain is even more pronounced. David Matus leads the biggest and perhaps most popular band, Titans, and he says they stopped competing years ago because it doesn’t make sense.

                      David Matus

David Matus, Band Leader, Titans Mass Band

“We don’t even get a security, not a police, no kind of guidance, nothing. And then you are put at the end of the parade where all the competing bands are at the front and we understand that. But we make up a part of the carnival. We make up a big part of the carnival. Cause we are putting out three or four trucks. It is a lot of investment. We decided not to compete because of the rule book, the whole drama with the competition and the prize money is not worth it. You are competing for ten thousand. For the past twenty-eight years that I’ve been involved the prizes have not changed.  So the prizes are not working. The amount of money we invest into a carnival is you know over a hundred thousand.”

But it’s not just about money, band leaders also want answers about accountability. One of them is questioning whether a promised third‑place prize was ever returned to the National Celebrations Commission after both third‑ and fourth‑place bands were later disqualified. They’re now calling on the commission to clear the air and say exactly what happened.

                            Leroy Smith

Leroy Smith, Band Leader, Fort Revelers

“I have one question to Mr. Thomson, last year in one of the carnival meeting, Mr. Thompson had mentioned to me and Miss Patty about, me and miss Patty normally don’t have our numbers to take part in the carnival but because it is the fiftieth anniversary Mr. Thompson and the board of the Carnival association promised us that even if we don’t have our count to take part he will still grant one of us the third place prize but he disqualified both of us and he said he send back the money to NCC. So I am asking NCC, did they receive the third place money back?”

Ultimately, the frustration has led to a direct call for resignation. Pauline Bradley says several band leaders have already signed a letter of no confidence in the current executive, though the association has brushed it off as invalid. Still, she says the message from the group is loud and clear: they’ve agreed it’s time for new leadership.

Pauline Bradley

“We all agreed on asking them to step down. They say the letter of no confidence is invalid so we are asking them to step down. We need a new committee. We need to move forward and we are not moving forward. And that last meeting we had with them it was very disrespectful. It was a lot of chaos. They said some mean stuff towards us, like low blows. And soh I noh think unu inna the right mind to represent we any at all. Unu got to go. And that’s not only from me. We all agree to ask them to please step aside and give somebody else a chance.”

Denise Young says the band leaders aren’t trying to tear carnival down—they’re trying to help it grow. She says they want leadership that listens, supports the people investing their own time and money, and gives bands a stronger voice. According to her, this push isn’t about creating division; it’s about securing carnival’s future.

                     Denise Young

Denise Young, Band Leader, Belizean Jewels

“We really want carnival to be bigger, better like the minister said. Fi ih be bigger, better we have to have people who want do this. People weh want look pan the bands them as this da fi unu. Soh that we wa have a voice. Right now the band leaders noh have no voice. This da the first time literally I can see something like this the happen. This the tell yo now the band leaders really get tired, after so much years.”

Shane Williams for News Five.

Executive Stands Ground, Plans Continue for Carnival 2026

Even as band leaders turn up the heat and call for the executive’s resignation, the Belize Carnival Association isn’t slowing down. In fact, the leadership says it’s full steam ahead for Road March 2026. The executive meets this weekend to continue locking in plans for this year’s festivities, and they’ve promised a formal press conference next week to respond to the concerns and allegations raised at today’s fiery meeting. But in an initial response to News Five, President Patrick Thompson struck a firm tone. He acknowledged that his term is winding down, but he stressed that his executive is still very much in control and will remain at the helm through Carnival 2026.

                       Patrick Thompson

Patrick Thompson, President, Belize Carnival Association

“From what we met with them, it’s all about the leadership, basically the leadership, and, like they all know that in our rule book state that the presidency term of office is four years, and my term of office ends after this year, carnival 2026. So after 2026, there will be an election where myself as the president will be putting out there to anybody who would like to take up the mantle to put their name in and run for the presidency.”

Shane Williams

“Do you see yourself being one of the candidate running this time?”

Patrick Thompson

“No, my time is up – will be up and I believe that I have done a lot. I have been the president for the Carnival Association for twenty plus years and during my tenure I have seen where we have took Carnival from one level to another level and let’s just hope my successor can take it to another level.”

 Shane Williams

“Another potential leadership group is already trying to move in.”

Patrick Thompson

“My executive will be running Carnival 2026. Because we had a meeting with the next group like you mentioned and they had realized that, hey, their term will be up after Carnival 2026. And they acknowledged that. So we are going with our regular planning for Carnival 2026 under my leadership and my team.”

Shane Williams

“What comes next?”

Patrick Thompson

“For me? Enjoy Carnival on the roadside.” 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Band Leaders Demand Resignation of Carnival Association first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

One leader expressed frustration over the lack of clarity in competitions. “Who goes into a competition not knowing what we’re going to win, what we’re going to get? We, the band leaders, for years we did that,” she said.

Band leaders explained that prize money is often handed out as a single cheque without a breakdown, leaving participants unsure of what they earned for categories such as King, Queen, or Road March. Several noted that while large bands invest more than $100,000 annually, the prize pool has remained at $10,000 for nearly three decades.

Non-competing bands also voiced concerns, saying they pay thousands in fees but receive no security, guidance, or recognition. “We make up a big part of the carnival, because we’re putting all three, four trucks. It’s a lot of investment.… We deserve a right to be seen and see what’s the difference between a competing and a non-competing band, right?” one leader said, arguing that their contributions are sidelined.

The grievances extended beyond money. Band leaders cited poor communication, lack of sponsorship support, and disrespect from the association. Some recalled being promised prizes only to be disqualified at the last minute. “We have been disrespected many times. We abide by the rules, and even abiding by the rules, there’s always conflict against us,” one leader said.

Criticism also targeted the association’s handling of elections and rulebooks, with leaders saying they have never had a real voice in decision-making. “We don’t vote, that’s the thing. Every year it just rolls right over. I have been in carnival from 2016 and haven’t voted as yet in an election,” one said.

The group revealed that they had met with an attorney and drafted a letter of no confidence in the current leadership, demanding new representation to move Carnival forward. The response they received, however, declared the letter invalid.

At the end of the press conference, the band leaders united in calling for the current committee to step down. “We all agreed to ask them to step aside and give somebody else a chance… We need a new committee,” they said.

Among those present at the press conference were the Titans Mass Band, Belizean Jewels, and Soca Moca.

News 5 has reached out to the Belize Carnival Association for a response.

The post Carnival Band Leaders Demand New Leadership Citing “Disrespect” first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The streets of Belize City came alive over the weekend with the annual J’ouvert and Carnival Road March. The Belize Carnival Association is celebrating fifty years of carnival in Belize, a historic milestone for organizers, revelers and spectators alike. The day began at four a.m. with party goers gathering at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex and making their way through Belize City, ending on Marine Parade. Paint, powder, mud and energy were the order of the morning. This was the biggest j’ouvert ever to hit the streets.

Belize City Resident #1

“J’ouvert 2024, I am here with my aunt and we are enjoying myself. We are looking energy. Hold the water. Tomorrow dah my neighbor birthday and we the guh on bad, me, mih nephew and my daughter.”

Belize City Resident #2

“Very powerful and I like to see my people come out and enjoy themselves. This is the biggest J’ouvert I ever see.”

Hundreds of people packed the streets, following behind several trucks that carried sound systems blasting music to keep spirits high.

Belize City Resident #3

“I must say I myself was surprised to see the crowd and I noticed a lot of Belizean Americans came home. I see a lot of them in the J’ouvert. So, J’ouvert is growing every year.”

And no J’ouvert morning is not complete without taking a dip in the Caribbean Sea to wash off the mud and powder built up from hours of nonstop partying. But the day’s activities were only getting started. The afternoon brought with it the start of the highly anticipated Carnival Road March 2025. Revelers lined up at Memorial Park and got on their way at two p.m.

                      Amir Charlie

Amir Charlie, Band Director, Ambassador Marching Band

“Well this is the first year we are participating. But we play at different carnivals, Corozal, Orange Walk.”

Paul Lopez

“What made you decide to participate this year?”

Amir Charlie

“Well, we got an invitation and because we heard people are saying the band the stin, so we were invited to this carnival.”

                     Stanley Lizama

Stanley Lizama, Carnival Marshal

“My dressing I am the first carnival king in 1995 and I win up to 2022.”

Paul Lopez

“How proud you feel?”

Stanley Lizama

“I feel proud because I was disqualified, because they said my costume was made in Trinidad and it was made in technical college and the next day Belize win the road march.”

Across the eight-mile route, revelers drew the attention of spectators with their vibrant costumes and colorful personalities. It was eight miles of dancing, good music and nonstop fun under the sweltering sun. This is the carnival culture that Belize has harnessed for the past five decades. The route even provided an opportunity for boaters to view the carnival from the sea.

                     Pauline Bradley

Pauline Bradley, Band Leader, Soca Massive

“This year we don’t only want to celebrate the fifty years of Carnival. We want to celebrate the entire Belize. We have the blue hole, the barrier reef, the maya ruin, plus a section that is the ethnic group. All the races in Belize are in the section with the ethnic group.”

                 Ernestine Carballo

Ernestine Carballo, Belizean Artist

“Let me model my Soca Moca costume for you all. I am with the four peat champions of the road, Soca Moca. And you know it is my biggest year so, I said I have to come out and celebrate fifty years of carnival in Belize.”

Paul Lopez

“How yo the feel?”

             Trench Town Reveler

Trench Town Reveler

“Good because I am with Trench Town and we always enjoy ourselves. We nuh worry bout win.”

Paul Lopez

“How you feeling right now love?”

                   Belizean Jewel Reveler

Belizean Jewel Reveler

“I feel good, cause Belizean Jewels all the way.”

Paul Lopez

“How you still have energy.”

Belizean Jewel Reveler

“Because, Belizean Jewels all the way.”

Soca Moca was declared the 2025 Carnival Road March Senior Champions. Soca Massive secured the Road March Championship in the junior category. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The post Upholding Belize’s Carnival Culture of Fifty Years first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Head, National Crime Investigation Branch

“On Saturday, several additional police personnel were deployed to Belize City for the carnival. There were small incidents for small fights, and persons were detained. Additionally searches were conducted on a male person at the BTL park where he was found with a nine millimeter pistol along with a live round. This person was arrested and charged for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He is a minor.”

Reporter

“How did police get information on him?”

ACP Hilberto Romero

“There was an altercation, police responded and conducted searches on several persons and he was found with a firearm.”

Reporter

“Were there general location where fights were taking place?”

ACP Hilberto Romero

“By the BTL Park.”

The post Gun-Toting Minor Arrested at Carnival Road March first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The post Soca Moca and Soca Massive Secure Road March Victory   first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

In a fiercely competitive senior division, Soca Moca emerged victorious, securing the championship title with an impressive score of 677 points. Mother Nature Creation followed in second place with 623 points, earning a well-deserved spot on the podium for their fantastic presentation.

The junior division also saw an incredible display of talent, with Soca Massive claiming the top spot with a score of 662 points. Sunshine Masqueraders came in a close second with 639 points, while Black Pearl secured third place with 535 points.

The Belize Carnival Association extended a massive congratulations to all participating bands, acknowledging that every single group brought their unique colors, culture, and creativity to the road.

The post Champions of Carnival Road March 2025 first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

1). The Historical Significance of September

 Paul Lopez, Reporting

September 21st, 1981, is a date etched in Belizean history. That’s when the Union Jack was lowered, and for the very first time, the Belizean flag was proudly raised, marking our birth as an independent nation. But the journey to independence didn’t start there. It stretches back centuries, to the days of European colonization and the Battle of Saint George’s Caye in 1798. Fast forward to the early 1900s, and Belizeans were already pushing for self-governance, riding the wave of global decolonization. At the heart of that movement was the Right Honorable George Cadle Price, the man we now call the Father of the Nation. Through years of tough negotiations and tireless diplomacy, Belize finally broke free from British rule with a vision of unity, resilience, and national pride.

2). Community and National Unity

 Today, across Belize, citizens celebrate the month of September with national pride and as one people. Whether it’s participating in the carnival road march or taking time to reflect on how far Belize has come over the last forty-four years, September has a meaning for everyone.

                 Belize City Resident #1

Belize City Resident #1

“September dah celebration month. So September makes everybody come together as a family. We enjoy the carnival, the September tenth St .George Caye dah wah important day and so we have the twenty-first, Independence Day as well. So September is a month that everybody come together, have fun and celebrate.”

              Belize City Resident #2

Belize City Resident #2

“It means my history, my past, it is about the future, the obstacles, the challenges, what we are going to face in the future. So it means something very patriotic, deep.”

                Belize City Resident #3

Belize City Resident #3

“People the have fun, joy and carnival the come, watch yah, we the look out to see. Watch deh pretty girls weh the dance. We dah man and man, and Belize blessed. Belize dah wah jewel, Belize dah wah jewel.”

3) The Economic Impact

It’s not all flags and festivities, September also brings serious business opportunities too. From the Carnival Road March to the Belize Market Place Expo, these events are a chance for entrepreneurs to cash in while celebrating national pride. Take Francisco Gonzalez, for example. He’s been running his street-side shop for over a decade, selling everything from flags to September-themed merch. For vendors like him, this season is about patriotism and turning a profit.

                       Fransico Gonzalez

Francisco Gonzalez, Entrepreneur

“I got big flags, I got bags, horns, mirror covers, small flag for kids, big flag for kids, I sell the things for your head, the things you tie around your head and I have good prices on my things, because I have to turn over to make something you understand.”

4). The Cultural Expression

 For fifty years, the Carnival Road March has been the heartbeat of Belize’s September celebrations, bringing music, movement, and pure energy to the streets. But did you know it all started as a way to ramp up the festivities around St. George’s Caye Day? Fast forward to today, and it’s one of the most anticipated events on the calendar. It’s about the costumes and the rhythm, but it’s also about culture and creativity. Artists like Ernestine Carballo play a huge role in setting the tone. Her latest track, “Stronger Together,” is a celebration of Belize’s rich history and vibrant heritage.

                 Ernestine Carballo

Ernestine Carballo, Belizean Artist

“Right before the carnival takes place you can put that in the speaker box and pump it or pump it in whatever festivities is taking place, you can pump it on the tv for your commercial, you can pump it on the airwaves, cause the children can listen and enjoy, all the young in heart could dance and shake a leg to the song, because it has that flavor with the Garifuna drums and everything.”

5). Looking Ahead to Another Four Decades

 As the nation looks forward to countless September celebrations, youth voices are important to shape the future. And that is why the September Celebrations Committee has carved out a day on the celebrations calendar to host a National Youth Creative Idea Summit, an avenue for youths to reflect on the nation’s achievement and present ideas for future development.

                        Kim Vasquez

Kim Vasquez, Member, National Celebrations Committee

“When you talk about Belize at forty-four, it really helps you to stop and just reflect, where we are with arts, culture, with economic development, with our growth as a nation. It is always important for us to celebrate, but we remember the road to independence and along that road we have had patriots and national builders.”

Whether you’re jumping up in the Carnival Road March or sitting down for a serious forum on Belize’s journey, it’s quite obvious, September brings us together. It’s a time when Belizeans show that we’re stronger as one, and these celebrations create the perfect space for that unity to shine. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The post Belize at 44: Honoring the Struggle Behind the Independence first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                        TR Shine

TR Shine, Singer

“I was commissioned by the National Carnival Commission actually to get this done. And I’ve been working tirelessly in the studio trying to get that same nostalgic that I brought when I brought McCauley and all of them songs like that. So I really wanted to evoke that type of vibe that I brought back then into this song right here. Speaking about the fiftieth anniversary, it’s so great for me to be a part of this carnival every time I’m being the king for Belize Soca right. The guys out ther, all masquerader, all the bands, unu done know weh fi do with this one ya. Show them your colors. Every design, show every detail, unu don’t know.”

                   Ernestine Carballo

Ernestine Carballo, Singer

“I love carnival and I love my nation so very much. I love the people. Kim Vasquez came to me and she Ernestine, this our fifty years anniversary of carnival, and the theme is stronger together, rising forever, Belize at forty-four. So I said, you know what, I’ll have to focus on the theme as well as on the band leaders. That is why if you listen to the song, you will hear stronger together, rising forever. We’re fifty years on the roads. We carnival please don’t let me go. Stronger together, rising forever, masquerading in the streets, spreading love through the whole country. Look how far we come, and we’re still going strong. Jamming all night and day to put costumes on display. King and queen come into life, feeler energy, catch the vibe, leave your stress all behind. It’s time to celebrate.”

The post Belize Launches Fiftieth Carnival Anniversary Magazine first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

               Francis Fonseca

Francis Fonseca, Minister for Culture

“For me there is no politics in carnival. Carnival is a national celebration, its something we all embrace I know many PUPs who were there at the beginning who participated in carnival from the very beginning they loved carnival so no its not political for me I’m absolutely very happy to partner with the national carnival the Belize carnival association ant to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of carnival its been a very good thing for our culture its been good for Belize good for tourism so  we are very happy to support them very happy to support the Gala we were very happy to support with the launch of this Gold fiftieth anniversary magazine so its all positive all good in terms of carnival in Belize.”

The post Belize’s Carnival Turns 50: A Celebration of Culture, Unity first appeared on Greater Belize Media.