The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) announced on Thursday that its popular Youth Extravaganza will take on a new format for Carnival 2012. Entitled "Youth Extravaganza 2012: Reloaded" the talent showcasing event will be more like "America's Got Talent" with one overall winner selected by a panel of five judges.
The cash prize will be US $1000. The event will also feature and elimination and a final round of competition. "Youth Extravaganza has grown since its inception into a dynamic and energized show displaying the best of the best in St. Maarten youth talent. Comparable to other shows held annually, youth extravaganza continues to compliment our Carnival schedule of events by having a high attendance rate throughout the years," President of the SCDF Stuart Johnson said.
He continued: "This year we've opted to change the format and we are excited about the possibilities. Dancers, singers, young calypso singers and steel pan players, rappers, actors, just talented young people will all compete for that one cash prize. It should be fun."
Young people interested in competing in Youth Extravaganza must register like everyone else before January 16, 2012. Registration forms can be collected at the Government Administration Building at the security desk. Forms can also be emailed to interested persons once requested via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
"The future of Carnival depends on the inclusion of our young people either through direct involvement with the SCDF on our youth wing or through participation in SCDF events. It is vital that we allow them to be part of our festival. The SCDF holds firm to this principle an looks forward every year to giving them a night of their own. For Carnival 2012 that night will have a little more excitement to it and we can't wait," Johnson said.
