These scarlet ibis costumes were originally created in community workshops led by Myra Rasmussen for the Polka Dot Dragon Lantern Festival. They were then joined by other creatures and characters made in the Sustainable Carnival Masquerade Workshops, led by Michael Lee Poy and Xica Diffenthaller Lee Poy in Nelson in August 2026. All of the costumes are made from biodegradable materials, aside from the removable LED lights, as part of a movement to honour the land and participate in the compost cycle—a movement we call Permacarnival, where permaculture and Carnival meet.
The creations were made in community under the leadership of folks from the Caribbean diaspora. They are inspired by the Caroni Swamp in southern Trinidad and made from materials collected in the Kootenays, creating a dialogue between what it means to be connected to place, materials, and culture. The band features scarlet ibis, the national bird of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as three costumes based on traditional masquerade characters: the Bat, the Midnight Robber, and Mama Bois.
Tonight, we hope you enjoy our tribute to Caribbean Carnival and join us in dancing to SOCA music as we move through the streets of Revelstoke.