It is no secret that the cancellation of the Jamaica Carnival season over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to some serious tabanca for lovers of the season.

Despite this, the Tuesday (March 29) evening announcement made by The Carnival in Jamaica (CIJ) National Stakeholders Committee, that the Carnival will be making an overdue return in July, has been met with mixed reactions.

While many carnival lovers have welcomed with open arms the carnival’s return, albeit, in July, many others have expressed concerns that the short notice of the event and limited preparation time may impact what is usually a ‘premium experience’.

Following news of the impending July 10 staging of the Jamaica Carnival Road March, one social media user wrote: “Jamaica is having carnival this year! Praise God”.

It was a sentiment shared by another social media user who tweeted: “For sure going to Jamaica for carnival my first year back on road r u dumb”.

Contrary to these views, however, were those of users who expressed concerns regarding the proposed timing of the season.

Speaking on the matter, Twitter user @Krishtun_ wrote: “Jamaica announcing carnival literally 3 months before it’s set to happen AND in the midst of SLU carnival & Crop Over is literally the worst decision they could make. Most people budgets, travel plans & vaca days done set! (sic)”.

Similar views on the issue were also shared by Twitter users @gotnash_ and @RiannaNaomi who stated: “Jamaica wicked for having carnival on those dates” and “Jamaica having their carnival in July is such a bad idea IMO” respectively.

On the other side of the arguments against the summer staging of the Jamaica Carnival season, are those who worry that the limited preparation time carnival stakeholders have for planning and executing, will impact the quality of the events.

Addressing the foreseeable issue, social media user @etsyinthecity said: “Part of me is wanting to do Jamaica carnival but the other half is feeling like it’s gonna be a disaster & I shouldn’t waste my money.”

This perspective was also shared by @richbadnets, who stated: “If I’m going to play Mas again it would definitely be anywhere but Jamaica. This slap dash rushed carnival makes no sense and it’s selfish.”

Mixed reactions to the impending season events aside, The Carnival in Jamaica (CIJ) National Stakeholders Committee in a statement on Tuesday informed that: “Several bands and fetes are starting to make their own special preparations for this season to ensure that the first summer staging of carnival will be one of the best yet.”