Goa Tourism announces extravagant 5-day Goa Carnaval in Feb ‘13
Indian Ocean, Parikrama, Remo, Wendell Rodricks fashion show among the highlights
Delhi/Mumbai, The Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Dilip Parulekar, today announced the dates for this year’s Goa Carnaval – a much-awaited event that draws tourists from all over India and abroad. It will kick-start on February 8 and conclude on February 12, 2013.
This year, Shri Parulekar said, the grand festival will be on an even bigger scale and more colourful. On the occasion, he said, “The Goa Carnaval is one of our biggest events of the year. I hope that this event becomes the second-most popular event of the world after the Brazilian Carnival. We have added more attractions this year including the food festival where we have involved 15 other states as well. We urge everyone to join us in the festivities.”
He added that the other highlights of the event will include a vintage car rally, Serenade parade, Harley Davidson Bike rally and King Momo’s lead float. The event will also see a bevy of Bollywood personalities like Neha Dhupia, Isha Koppikar and Tanushree Dutta.
Photo caption (L-R): Shri Sanjay Shetye, Managing Director of Vinsan World; Shri Dilip Parulekar, Minister of Tourism, Government of Goa; Shri Nikhil Desai, MD of GTDC and Director of Tourism, Government of Goa
Shri Nikhil Desai, MD of GTDC, and Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, said, “We have taken measures to ensure 100 per cent safety for everyone and have increased the deployment of police force at tourist spots. We are also in the process of increasing room inventory for tourists.”
He added that the tourism board is keen on promoting Goa not only as an important cultural destination but also for its festivals, heritage and adventure. The Opening Ceremony will kick off at D.B. Marg, Panaji on the 9th of February, 2013.
About Goa Carnaval 2013:
This year’s Carnaval will revive the yesteryears’ fervor with larger-than-life décor, mask installations and a Food & Cultural Festival – the biggest of its kind in Goa. Goa Tourism has left no stone unturned to take the 2013 Carnaval experience to a heightened level of excitement and entertainment. The festival, as usual, will feature float parades in four cities i.e. Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa. Apart from the float parade, this year’s event will also include a Food & Cultural Festival for the first time where visitors will not only get to taste local Goan Cuisine but also cuisines of 15 other states of India.
It will offer visitors the opportunity to experience cuisine and culture through a unique blend of food, fun, local and national live music performances, fashion shows, and entertainment.
Visitors can expect live music from performers like Anushka Manchanda, Parikrama, Remo and Indian Ocean spread across five days, as well as more than 70 stalls providing food, beverages and lifestyle products. A fashion show by ace designer Wendell Rodricks is touted to be one of the main highlights.
An element of competition has also been introduced with entries being invited for the King Momo Contest and the cooking competition. The cooking competition will take place at the NIWS Grounds during the Food & Cultural Festival.
The Carnaval will also comprise live musical performances featuring local bands at Colva and Mapusa from February 9-12, 2013. This public event recognizes Goa’s diverse population including its vast tourist populace and promotes a message of tolerance, friendship and inclusiveness.
