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Last night Monica Bodden visited a few of those camps and here's her report:

Monica Bodden Reporting

With carnival only 10 days away - The carnival fever continues as these bands finish up the last minute touches on their costumes and strengthen their dancing techniques.

Our first stop last night was at the Sunshine Masqueraders Mas Camp where 46 revelers - all energized - gave us a peek at what we can expect on Carnival day.

Marilyn Young - Band Leader, Sunshine Masqueradors
"We are portraying the Mayan Heritage. We're doing their culture. Our costumes - the king and queen - will be Moon God, and Rain God."

Monica Bodden
"Tell us why you guys chose that team."

Marilyn Young
"Well, we usually find things that are pertaining to Belize because they always say that whenever you do something, you do it for your country. The Mayas were here before Christ, and they are saying that this is the year of the Maya because they predict that this year the world should have ended. So, we're still doing something on the Maya."

Monica Bodden
"How members do you have in the band this year?"

Marilyn Young
"Right now, we have 46 members."

Monica Bodden
"Are you guys taking more, or is this it for you?"

Marilyn Young
"Yes, we have space for more because the capacity is 75, but when we go and ask parent, they are willing for the children to join. The finance isn't there though. If I would have gotten the support from some of the other business places, I wouldn't mind making the costumes and making allowing the children to come because all the parents are focusing on school. That is very important because we have to educate our kids."

Monica Bodden
"Speaking about finance, how has that been going for the band?"

Marilyn Young
"Finances have been very bad. I could call 3 names that supported me this year and last year, Benny's, Belize Bank, and Simon Quan. Those are the 3 that came out for me."

Their theme this year is Pirates of the Caribbean - and according to Oceana Soca Mocha - they are ready to bring color, energy and charisma come carnival day.

Pauline Bradley - Band Leader, Oceana Soca Moca
"This year, we are Pirates of the Caribbean, Curse of the Kraken and Pirates Gold. We have 4 sections this year with 200 members. The first Tia Delma, the voodoo priestest or the Calypso. Group #2 are the pirates, King Davey Jones. Group #3 is Queen Sarina, the mermaid, and the 4th section is King Kraken. First of all, Oceana is our main sponsor. And our 2nd sponsor, who we have really have to give respect to is Joseph Taylor. He gave us materials when it came to the steel and other materials like that to make the king and queen costumes. We didn't get sponsors from any other companies. My sister worked really hard, and she also put her money into it. She is the owner of the band, Audrey Bradley."

Monica Bodden
"Now, are you guys ready for the King and Queen competition this Saturday?"

Pauline Bradley
"Yes, today, we are on our 4th costume right, and we're finishing it. By Saturday, we'll be completely finished."

Monica Bodden
"And your members, do you think that your members are ready to put on a show for the Belizean people?"

Pauline Bradley
"I think that when it comes to Oceana Soca Moca, we're always ready."

Our last stop last night was at the Eternity Mas Camp - where there band is catering for a hundred and twenty revelers. And from the little we saw last night, these dancers are more than ready to bring that heat in the street.

Tara Williams - Band Leader, Eternity Mas Camp
"In this carnival, we're portraying the Belize Public Service."

Monica Bodden
"Now, why Belize Public Service?"

Tara Williams
"Well, we decided that we wanted to give back or show what it is about, and give thanks to them. They are the ones who protect us, and when we're sick, we have to go to the hospital to deal with the nurses. When anything happens, you have the call the police. We need them, so we wanted to showcase all of that."

Monica Bodden
"Tell me a little about the costumes."

Tara Williams
"This year, we're doing 4 different sections. Our 1st section is the DigiCell section because we wanted to show the relationship between the Public Service and the Phone Service. You need that phone service to get to your public services. Our second Section is the police. The 3rd section is the nurses, and the last section we have is the BDF."

Monica continues her camp visits tonight - and we'll have more MAS CAMP MADNESS in tomorrow's newscast...