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That craziness though is not a one day thing; it's like a tsunami that slowly swells, cresting only on carnival day. We get a chance to ride the wave at a few dates before it crashes unto the streets. The carnival King and Queen is one of them where all the big costumes are rolled out for a real time dress rehearsal. Here's how this year's event went:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
The 2013 Carnival King and Queen Competition was all about grandeur. The costume entries were elaborate with razor sharp attention to details, and elaborate, carefully chosen colors.

Leroy Green - Sr. King, Mother Nature's Creation
"This costume took about a month to finish because if you notice, all these stones were put on one at a time. The decorations at the back, you had to get under the costume and pin them on - it took quite a bit of time."

But most of all, the costumes dwarfed the contestants wearing them.

Leroy Green
"You do not dance a costume, you play a costume so since this is a 'wedding' - there is no need for me to be jumping and doing all of that - that would be defeat the whole purpose. All I have to do is just rock it to show it's flexibility."

Shanena Merritt - Sr. Queen, Mother Nature's Creation
"While I'm on the stage, it's all about the costume - the mobility, the flexibility and everything else - just keep a smile on your face and just move around."

Vanessa Williams - Sr. Queen, Mother Nature's Creation
"All I need to do is strap it on me as much as possible and just rock it to my belief and just give the viewers what they came here for." Even with the elaborate design, each contestant knew exactly what their creations were portraying:

Leroy Green
"The four of Mother Natures costumes are here tonight, combined they are representing a wedding ceremony. I am actually the groom and I am king Golo - I am the son of Aaron, who is the Arawak Mayan spirit god of love."

Sebastian Nunez Jr. - Sr. King, Mother Nature's Creation
"I am king Aaron, it's a combination spirit of god and love and the prosperity."

Shanena Merritt
"My name is queen Labela - I am the goddess of the wedding bells, I'm a spiritual goddess

Vanessa Williams
"I am Herta - spiritual maiden of Arawak and the Mayan lineage who appeared to steal a life without love."

Tamia Murrillo - Jr. Queen, Black Pearl
"My costume represents carnival, I am Queen Bacanal."

Briyoni Terry - Jr. Queen, Black Pearl
"I'm Queen Independence and as you can see."

Michael Barela Jr. - Jr. King, Black Pearl
"It represents the victory between the Baymen and the Spaniards."

And while there were those fluent in the lore of their characters, there were a few costumes which immediately caught the eye, like the rendition of Rt. Hon. George Price, done by the Soca Warriors Mas Band.

Tyrone Scott - Sr. King, Soca Warriors
"King George, father of the Nation - as you can see up above is Mr. George Price. He's known as the father of the nation."

So, if the Price costume seemed unusual at first glance, his character began to fit right in, given that September is a celebration of nationhood.

A celebration which was kicked off appropriately: every one of the contestants was ready put on show for their supporters:

Tyrone Scott
"This is something I love - Carnival is my dream, I can't say anything else about it but I am just out here to enjoy myself."

Tamia Murrillo
"I am up from 3 this morning, I was just ready and I dreamed about this day and it's finally happening. It's more than exciting, if I don't win then I still had fun and nobody can't say this costume is ugly because this costume look damn good."

Briyoni Terry
"I have a mad sick energy."

Sebastian Nunez Jr.
"I will show the Belizean people and my competitors the spirit in me of Carnival - I will perform my costume - not me myself but the role of my costume and I will do my best."

It was then on to the Competition, where Junior Queens competed against each other, but according to the judges the 2 entries from Sunshine Masqueraders were the clear winners sweeping the first and second place.

In the Junior Kings category, 5 Mas camps made entries, but the final tally said that Sunshine Masqueraders placed 2nd, while Jump Street Posse was named as the winners.

In the Seniors category, the Queens took the stage first, and 9 contestants displayed their mas camps' creations. But at the end, the Judges chose Mother Nature's Queens as 3rd and 2nd place. The winner chosen was Eternity Mas Band.

The Queen who was a bit hoarse, tried her best to tell us what it was like

Kaylen Williams - 2013 Carnival Queen
"It feels good."

Reporter
"How was it on the stage? Did you have any difficulties controlling the costume?"

Kaylen Williams
"Well it kinda kept me back but I still kept on going."

And, of the Senior Kings, 9 costumes were presented, but at after the tabulation of the scores, Belizean Jewel won both 1st and 2nd place:

George Parks - 2013 Carnival King
"It's a victory and the best person won."

Daniel Ortiz
"Tell us about the energy you brought and about your costume."

George Parks
"Just hypeness and thanks to the support of my band."

The next big event is Carnival day and we'll have that live here on channel 7…