Empire Carnival Group (ECG), also known as Edward Cheung
Carnival Group (only kidding), announced their theme for
Carnival 71 (Feb 2024).

Interview with Janice Boekhoudt (my niece, daughter of Franklin)
announcing the theme of C71.


The next day (on my birthday), QueenAnne (leader of Empire) and I
visited Ivo on Canal 90 radio to announce the theme.

The day after that (Feb 7), they announced the theme of the adult
parade: An AI journey.  I think this is a great coupling of the themes between
kids and adults.  The kids would be space and astronauts, an educational slant.
 Meanwhile the adults would be more science fiction, fantasy and Artificial Intelligence.


On February 9, organized by Biking Squad Aruba and our good friend
Rubert Paesch, we participated with the costumed themed bike ride.
Our departure was covered by the local press.


Registration opened in July 2024 with this announcement.


In September 2024, Paulus School (from where I graduated)
announced joining the group.  An exciting announcement!
Their participation doubled the size of the group
from 70 to 140.


In December 2024, Empire released this video
with a glimpse of the costumes and call
for registrations.  In the end, they
would sell out and decided to
increase the size of the group
to 150.



During our New Year trip in Jan 2025, I participated in an Instagram
video shoot to promote the group.  This was our first look
at the costumes and we were very impressed!
Another link.

We arrived back on Aruba in early Feb 2025 to participate
with the preliminary events of Carnival.


After arrival, I would assist in the crowning of the youth princess for C71:
Noëmi (Nini) Bergen from María Goretti College.


The two parades were on 2/16 (Oranjestad) and 2/23 (San Nicolas).  I truly enjoyed them
and jumped the whole route with the kids and Agnes.  This is my favorite picture and was
taken by Agnes.  The location is on Lago Weg in San Nicolas.


Ishwar caught a nice picture of Agnes and I during the parade.
I jumped with my bubble canon and it made quite a sensation.


We had a super nice time!
My posts for these parades:
Oranjestad
San Nicolas
Album of Aruba in 2025

Videos/albums by others of parade day:


TeleAruba coverage (Feb 18)


Photo albums from Nagico (Feb 18 2025) which
was a sponsor of Empire.
Album 1
Album 2


Video from Paulus School.


Album from QueenAnne Bergen, leader of Empire.


Video from Empire on the parade in San Nicolas


After the parade, I met with Empire kids to sign their costumes.
Instagram.

Video with Kijanu.

Video of Empire kids during parade.


Video showing the amazing and beautiful detail of the 'badge'.
Instagram.


When I arrived home, I snapped an image of the beautifully
detailed headpiece in front of the GSFC entrance.
The builder shared it proudly.


Reception of the public to us participating in the kids
parade was tremendous.  One person that took a picture with
me was Jaythan and he turned it into a profile presentation
of my work in his classroom.

Other videos on albums on Empire's Facebook page.