Cayman: Celebrity designers and beauty queens from Latin America in Batabano’s 40th parade

Mayor of La Ceiba and Miss World Honduras to also attend 

Spectators are in for an amazing show this year as the 40th annual Batabano Street Parade will not only feature unique costumes designed by local artist Reba Dilbert and others, but also stunning pieces by internationally acclaimed costume designers from Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Cuba, and Honduras.

The Batabano Street Parade is taking place on Saturday May 6th at 1pm along its traditional route from Public Beach to Seafarer’s Way on the waterfront in George Town where there will be a Food Festival as well as a spectacular Street Dance that’s open and free to the public. 

The Mayor of La Ceiba in Honduras, Mr. Bader Dip, will also be flying to Grand Cayman for Batabano this year, as will Miss Honduras World, Yelsin Almendares, who will be wearing a costume designed by Eduardo Zablah, who is also the pageant’s franchise holder in Honduras and will be accompanying her to Batabano. 

Miss Hispanoamericana Honduras 2022, Francis Dariela Salgado, and Miss Intercontinental Honduras 2022, Sandra Hinds, will also be in the Batabano parade this year, wearing costumes designed by Mr. Zablah.

Hailing from Cuba but based in Miami, artist Juan Pablo Cabrera will be entering in the Batabano parade his stunning costume titled “The Angel winds” which is a design that will be worn in the parade  by three visiting models – Rosanna Deumie, Katie Black, Nicole Camila Ponce Caldas, and Daniela Pino. From celebrity gala red carpets to international cat walks, Juan Pablo has been grazing the world with his colorful feather creations.

Richard Isaza and Carlos Cuelo llenan from Colombia will be bringing the art of two great designer friends who have graced the carnival of Barranquilla Colombia for 25 years. They will be entering a float in the Batabano parade inspired by the greatness of the river and the majesty of the Amazon jungle.

In addition to the costumes by these renowned Latin American designers, the 40th annual Batabano parade will also feature the group “Passita Africa” from the USA for the first time in the Cayman Islands.

Prior to the Batabano parade, the public is invited to a preview event of the international costumes, which will be held on Cardinal Avenue from 5pm-8pm on Friday May 5^th. There will also be a meet-and-greet opportunity with the visiting designers, artists, the visiting beauty queens, and the Mayor of La Ceiba. 

The Ministry of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands, the Hon. Kenneth Bryan, said: “I am pleased to support Cayman Carnival Batabano, as I believe cultural events like this help to entice tourists to our shores. I am equally excited to welcome our international visitors who share our passion for Carnival. From a tourism perspective, hosting public figures from Latin America can offer exposure within that market, especially as we prepare to relaunch the Cayman Airways Panama City route in June.”

Chairperson of the Batabano Board of Directors, Donna Myrie, stated: “Cayman can expect a different presentation of Batabano for the 40th anniversary. In addition to our amazing local costume designers and artists, we are excited about welcoming, and bringing together, people from different ethnic groups that are also part of Cayman’s society, staying true to our slogan ‘All Nations One Celebration’.”

Other participants in this year’s Batabano Street Parade include: Reba Dilbert Creations; Party Animals; Mas Azucar; the Indian Band; and Las Tortugas pirates.

For more information visit www.caymancarnival.com, email [email protected], or call Donna on 916-1740.

ABOUT CAYMAN CARNIVAL BATABANO

Established in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Cayman Carnival Batabano is the National Carnival of the Cayman Islands. A salute to Cayman’s turtling heritage, “Batabano” is the native name for tracks left in the sand when sea turtles go ashore to nest, which has always been cause for celebration in the Cayman Islands. From humble beginnings, Cayman Carnival Batabano has grown from a small parade with homemade costumes and floats, to an international tourism attraction with hundreds of masqueraders donning professional costumes by local and international designers, parading down West Bay Road just steps from Cayman’s iconic Seven Mile Beach. A unique carnival that fuses culture and the arts via creative costumes, Caribbean music, local crafts, and a Food Festival worthy of the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, Batabano is symbolically held over the first two weekends of May (including Junior Batabano) as part of the celebration and awareness of the start of Turtle Nesting Season. Today, the non-profit Cayman Carnival Batabano Board of Directors is proud to use its platform to promote and support local turtle conservation efforts in the Cayman Islands. Part-proceeds from Batabano sponsorships will help support select turtle conservation initiatives locally, made possible only through the financial contributions of Cayman’s corporate community and the local Government. For more details, visit www.caymancarnival.com and follow www.facebook.com/batabanocayman, www.instagram.com/caymancarnivalbatabano, and www.twitter.com/batabano_cayman.