Sint Maarten: Safety concerns lead to cancellation of Summer J’ouvert Morning Splash 2024

Sint Maarten: In a saddening announcement, Kalaboom Events said that it shall call off the much-anticipated Summer J’ouvert Morning Splash 2024, that was to be held next year. This decision comes on the heels, not to put visitors and locals at risk in regard of the recent spike in gun violence in Sint Maarten.

Skelet, the General Director of Kalaboom Events, says that the organization was forced to put its foot down to ensure the best conditions for its visitors and audience. “We have over 1,000 visitors coming to our beautiful island, and we do not want them to leave with bad memories,” the director stated.

“We have worked too hard to create the brand ‘Oualichi Festival-SXM Best Weekend’ to let one bad experience tarnish the name of the brand,” he added. This year’s J’ouvert was designed to be a standout event, featuring a route that would traverse from the French side to the Dutch side of the island in a display of unity and celebration.

In fact, all the preparations were already set, including the distribution of all its Splash Kits, but with the escalation of the violence, Kalaboom Events was now bound to back off considering enforcement for safety as a topmost priority.

The team is firm about standing against any violence as it wants to ensure the safety of its attendees. Kalaboom Events, in an official statement, has communicated to the authorities that they understand it is a very trying time for law enforcement across the island. The organization wished not to further burden the authorities at this time.

For those who have already purchased the Splash Kits, Kalaboom Events is offering several options to accommodate their supporters:

1. Event Upgrade: Patrons pay the differential to be at the show of their choice, either Dexta Daps or Beenie Man.
2. Festival Credit: The amount equal to the Splash Kit value becomes credit for food and drinks on Saturday or Sunday during the festival.
3. Full Reimbursement: A full refund shall be given to all the ticket holders for the cost of purchase of the Splash Kit.