February 13, 2013 11:21 PM EST
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013: Caribbean’s Biggest Party [Slideshow]
One of the biggest days in the Caribbean calendar, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, has drawn to a close, bringing its usual display of dazzling costumes and energetic celebrations.
Taking place every year on the two days before Ash Wednesday, the street party sees a panoply of costumed bands flooding the streets.
The Carnival kicked off on Monday with a street party known as J'ouvert, which sees thousands of people doused in oil, mud, paint and liquid chocolate partying in the street.
This was followed by the main event on the Tuesday, where thousands of people dressed up in elaborate costumes performed onstage for their chance to be crowned Masquerade Band of the Year, a huge honour on the Caribbean island.
While the Carnival officially takes place on the two days before the start of Lent, people traditionally begin the party months prior, starting as early as Christmas time. This year was no exception.
In the week before the official Carnival opened, the Senior Kings and Queens of Carnival bands took to the Queen's Park Savannah stage, with masquerades donning huge costumes and parades in a bid to secure the King and Queen of Carnival titles.
Another, less extravagant tradition is the annual stick fighting competition, held every year at the beginning of Carnival season.
The winner of the bout is given the title King of the Rock. Bouts are decided when a fighter draws blood from their opponent.
Around 60,000 people are estimated to have travelled to Trinidad to join in the hundreds of thousands of people who have celebrated the Carnival.
The festival was previously thought to be in jeopardy, after a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck 55 miles (89 kilometres) from the nation's capital of Port-of-Spain on 10 February.
While there were reports of buildings shaking, no major damage or injuries were reported, meaning the thousands of people already in the area to celebrate the Carnival season were able to continue with the lavish Caribbean party.
Read more of IBTimes UK's carnival coverage:
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Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Masqueraders from Brian MacFarlane's band parade on stage during their "Joy The Finale" presentation on the final day of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival at Queen's Park Savannah
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Taking place annually on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the two-day street party sees a host of dazzling costumes on the streets of the Caribbean island
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Revellers take to the streets during J'Ouvert celebrations, or "daybreak celebrations" in the capital city Port of Spain on 11 February
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Revellers bathe themselves in chocolate, mud, oil and paint as they depict devils, demons, monsters and imps during the celebrations, which mark the start of the two-day Trinidad Carnival street parade
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam plays mass during Harts' "Je Taime Carnival" presentation on the final day of the Carnival
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Thousands of people compete on stage in their costumes to be crowned Masquerade Band of the Year
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Gloria Dalsingh from the group "Rise of The Olympians" wears her costume "Hera's Sacred Bird" at the finals of Senior Queens and Kings of Carnival
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
These grand costumes Senior Queens and Kings of Carnival competition are part of the celebrations that take place before the official start of Carnival
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Participants from the band Mystery of the Cascadoo pose for a photo after appearing on stage as part of the National Carnival Commission Conventional Individuals Competition in Port of Spain, another build-up event to Carnival
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013
Oneil Odle of the Valiant Brothers from Princes Town (L) squares off against Selwyn John of Rio Claro, in the final bout of the annual stick fighting competition in Debe





