On Saturday 1,000 revelers are expected to hit Central American Boulevard for the annual carnival road march. As we've been reporting, while sponsorship is at an all time low - participation is at a record high. There will be 5 junior and 7 senior bands. Last night we visited mas camps for three senior bands and Keith Swift has the story.

Miss Pinkie, Southside Masqueraders
"We love to dance, it is a lot of fun, and we love the hype."

And that's the spirit of carnival we met last night on Mayflower Street, Pickstock Street, and St. Thomas Street. Our first stop was on Mayflower Street - the mas camp for the Southside Masqueraders. Finishing touches were being made on costumes inside, while outside a pot of mud was being stewed for Saturday morning's J'ouvert. Bandleader Miss Pinkie says her band will have 75 dancers spread out over three sections - the past, the present, and the future.

Miss Pinkie,
"We portraying the past, the present, and the future. The black, gold, and silver, that's back in the days of slavery. The colorful section shows that the destruction and all the killing and stuff that's happening today, and the white section is to bring peace in the future."

Keith Swift,
How was the sponsorship this year?

Miss Pinkie,
"Bad, it was real bad."

Real bad but co-leader Marsha Smith says that won't stop them from participating.

Marsha Smith, Southside Masqueraders
"Our fun this year is for mostly like go out and just have fun, not for competition for first second or third. Our vibes is to just go out and have fun because the vibes we were getting from early when we started, it wasn't right but we are not giving up. We are still out there for fun. Every year we have party, if we even lose we have party because we are all about party."

Jam Jam Mas Band is also about partying. In fact when we got there, revelers were partying in the street. And that street party became a bram when soca star Oscar B got on the big truck.

[Video Montage of Dancing in the Street]

This is Jam Jam's first year in the carnival and, if their dancing in the street isn't enough proof, leader Troy Banner says his group is ready.

Troy Banner, Jam Jam
"We are to blow out this September celebrations because we are extremely looking well."

Keith Swift,
Tell me about the theme.

Troy Banner,
"Okay our theme is the Greek mythology. We have two kings and one queen."

One of those kings is Jason Belisle.

Keith Swift,
You told me the night of King & Queen that you've never danced as king. Are you ready for Saturday?

Jason Belisle,
"I have never been a king yet and trust me I am going to handle it. I heard that it is going to be eight hours but I am going to push it eight hours, trust me. It is a huge costume but I have the energy for it. I'm built for it."

And while its Jason's umpteen year, it will be the first for Prunella. She'll be one of the 75 revelers for Jam Jam.

Prunella, Jam Jam
"All the time I always was watching it and my father used to drive for carnival and so I am just trying to feel the vibe of the carnival myself. I always see my sister in it so I said to myself I'm going to try this year."

Keith Swift,
What has it been like in terms of sponsorship?

Troy Banner,
"Well regardless of sponsorship, you know the dedication is there. We have the carnival spirit so with effort and everything we push and make sure that we get ready for carnival day. Sponsorship or no sponsorship we are here to stay and we will make sure we win carnival road march."

But to win the road march, Jam Jam will have to beat Mother Nature's Creation. Their mas camp is on St. Thomas Street. They are one of the bigger senior bands with 118 revelers who've signed up. Carla Flowers is the bandleader.

Keith Swift,
What is the theme?

Carla Flowers, Bandleader - Mother Nature's Creation
"Belizean myth, flora and fauna."

Keith Swift,
This is your third year, what were the preparations like?

Carla Flowers,
"Well its never too hard like the first time I came out and I think I get the knack of it now. It is kind of hard. I am still preparing now but with the support of my group, I am going through fine...I will definitely be ready in time."

One woman whose ready is Carla Broaster. She won the senior queen competition.

Carla Broaster, Queen - Mother Nature's Creation
"I'm very ready for carnival day. I want everyone to see how Mother Nature displays its originality."

Keith Swift,
What have you done to prepare for the road march?

Carla Broaster,
"Well I sleep a lot. After the two weeks that we had to make up, I got extra rest, and what everybody does to get ready; work out, you run a little, you eat vegetables, you just try to be healthy."

Shanice, Mother Nature's Creation
"This is my first time in the carnival ever and I am very excited to be in the number group in the land which is Mother Nature's Creation so I am very very excited."

And Shanice and these revelers showed just how excited they were to meet Oscar B when he arrived. And later as the big truck arrived - young and old - men and women - girls and boys -and even this young man on crotches - took over St. Thomas Street -jumping and dancing on the street with their rags in the air. Now that's the spirit of carnival.

Again the J'ouvert is 4 am on Saturday and the road march starts 1 pm. Channel 7's live coverage begins at 12:30. As always we'll have the best seat in the house, so join hosts Neil Hall, Angela Gegg, and Linda Blease.