The opening ceremony for this year's V.I. Carnival Village — designated "Brownie's Ville" in honor of veteran Carnival shows master of ceremonies Irvin "Brownie" Brown — will have corporate sponsorship for the first time, from Blazing Photos and Kodak Film.
The sponsors, designated by the V.I. Carnival Committee as "the official film and photo store of V.I. Carnival," will also award an Advantix camera to the village Best Booth winner and will donate a single-use camera to each booth sponsor "to help capture the spirit of Carnival," a release stated.
While the local film-processing business and the international film company have sponsored aspects of Carnival before, committee executive director Caswil Callender said this is the first time that the village opening ceremony has corporate underwriting. He termed the partnership "an example of affordable, creative investment by local businesses, which we need more of."
Marc Blazar, president of Blazing Photos, the local distributor of Kodak products, said, "We are proud not only to return to the village as a premier sponsor, but to help honor Mr. Carnival himself, Irvin ‘Brownie' Brown, who means so much to Carnival." He also urged other businesses to get involved in Carnival, saying, "The private sector can really make a difference."
The village opening ceremony, set for 6 p.m. on May 1, will feature entertainment, awards presentations and the ribbon cutting by the Carnival queen, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and "Brownie."