Last week, Tribe executive Rhiannon Pemberton revealed the feedback the mas band had been getting from its foreign masqueraders was that airfare was too expensive to come for this country’s Carnival.
This was backed up by Yuma’s co-director Tanya Gomes and leader of the Ronnie and Caro band, Ronnie McIntosh.
But masqueraders living here say they too are affected. While they do not have to pay for plane tickets, some Carnival lovers say the cost of Carnival appears to be increasing every year.
They detailed the amount of money spent for the peak days of Carnival.
Two women who are playing mas with Bliss but asked to remain anonymous, broke down their Carnival Monday and Tuesday costs for Guardian Media.
The women said their costumes cost between $7,000 and $8,000.
One of the masqueraders said she paid $7,245 for her costume.
Then there is the cost for Monday wear, which comes up to an additional $1,970.
The woman said getting her hair, nails, lashes, waxing, facials, spray tans and make-up done adds up to approximately $3,500.
The women also paid for boots or sneakers, accessories and transport, which comes up to an estimated $1,000.
And to get in shape for Carnival 2024, one of the women spent $1,200 per month at a fitness boot camp for two months.
When calculated, the cost to play mas for these two women is approximately $16,000.
Meanwhile, two men, who also did not want to reveal their identities, said they will be jumping up with a new mas band on Monday and Tuesday. They spent $5,400 for their costumes.
The transportation cost for one of the men to get in and out of Port-of-Spain is $100 per day and accessories cost $500. A haircut rings up to $150 and other expenses tally up to $800.
The other male masquerader said he paid $6,000 for his Carnival costume; $700 for sneakers; a haircut and grooming costs $400 and sunblock at $800.
To ensure his body was in shape and fit for the parade routes, the masquerader paid $2,000 in gym fees and another $3,000 for a protein supplement Whey.
Total expenditure for the men was approximately $8,000, which is half of what the women spent for Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
2024 Cost for female masquerader
Monday Wear $1970.00
Costume $7245.00
Nails $480.00
Spray tan $500.00
Sneakers $600.00
Eye lashes $500.00
Facial $480.00
Make-up $700.00 per day
Transport $240.00
Waxing $450.00
Stockings $200.00
Accessories $300.00
Bootcamp for two months $2400.00
Total $16,065.00
Cost for male masquerader
Costume $5400.00
Transport $100.00 for Tuesday
Accessories $1000.00
Sneakers $700.00
Haircut $150.00
Miscellaneous $800.00
Grooming $200.00
Total $8350.00
