Carnival fever was running high on Saturday afternoon as thousands of people descended upon the town of Victoria to watch over 40 floats parade through the streets amid a blaze of colour.

It was indeed the ‘carnival of carnivals’, as Seychelles hosted yet another successful Carnaval International de Victoria – now in its third year.

Starting shortly after 3pm on the Bois de Rose avenue, the floats moved along Francis Rachel street, Albert street before turning right onto Palm Street, and finally down 5th June Avenue.

President James Michel was among guests present for the occasion, as well as the President of the Regional Council of Reunion Didier Robert.

Also there were various high-ranking government officials, and many foreign dignitaries, as well as the largest-ever group of media teams to come to Seychelles on assignment.

Members of the public cheered non-stop as the brightly-decorated floats -- from both local and international companies and organisations -- paraded in front of them. Local floats included Mason’s Travel, Seychelles Police, University of Seychelles, Jj Spirit Foundation, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, and many more, while international floats represented countries like Brazil, Belgium, Italy, China, United Kingdom, Mauritius, Reunion, among others.

Most of the floats had their own music system to serenade the dancers as they performed for the crowd, and judges took notes as the procession passed in front of the clock tower to award the best floats in each category.

There were stopping points for the floats to showcase their skills and talents in the parade, such as the VIP area in front of the National Cultural Centre building, the judges’ box in front of the Supreme Court building opposite the clock tower, and at the Orion Mall building on Palm Street. Each float was given two minutes at each stopping point to showcase their performances, where dazzling displays of acrobatics, dances, songs and more enthralled the onlookers.

As the procession completed their route around town shortly after 6pm, all proceeded to Freedom Square, where a DJ Fiesta had been organised. There was also other entertainment in other places in town, such as at Stad Popiler, where live bands blasted away until late into the night.

Our accompanying photos, taken by photographers Patrick Joubert and Louis Toussaint, show some highlights of the float parade on Saturday.

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