KINGSTON, Jamaica — October 2026 — More than 100 costumes remade, production teams flown in from Trinidad and Grenada, and shifts running around the clock: GenX’s Miami Carnival comeback turned a shipping crisis into a second-place finish at Miami Broward Carnival 2026.
GenX’s Miami Carnival Comeback
GenX Carnival’s STING presentation placed runner-up in the Band of the Year competition after delays affecting costume shipments from China disrupted preparations for several bands. For GenX, the immediate priority was clear: get costumes to the masqueraders who had travelled to play mas.
“More than eight bands did not receive their costumes from China, and some never made it onto the road,” said Nisha Felice of Nisha Felice Productions, who helped lead the recovery. “For the GenX team, that wasn’t an option, and that is something I respect. We flew in teams from Trinidad and Grenada and ran production around the clock at the band house, remaking more than 100 costumes. Production crisis management is what I do, and everyone involved was committed to getting our masqueraders ready.”
The emergency effort brought production and logistics teams together in a race to complete the Carnival costumes and keep the experience on track for GenX masqueraders.
“Our priority was making sure our masqueraders had their costumes and could enjoy the experience they had paid for,” said Matthew Waddell, GenX Director and Head of Logistics. “We’re grateful to our team and for the patience our masqueraders showed.”
This year’s Miami Carnival also marked a major change for the event, as its principal activities moved to Broward County for the first time in its 42-year history. Despite the new setting and a difficult lead-up, GenX secured its third consecutive top-three finish at the Miami Carnival Band of the Year competition, following its 2024 victory with Ravenous and third-place result in 2025.
“Miami 2026 tested us,” said Tagyei Belinfante, GenX Director. “Alongside the move to a new venue, costume shipping delays from China affected several bands, including ours. Our team had to respond quickly, and our masqueraders showed tremendous patience. To still cross that stage and earn second place means a great deal.”
From Miami to Trinidad Carnival 2027
The focus now turns to Trinidad, where sister band GenXS will partner with TRIBE for a fourth year at Trinidad Carnival on February 8 and 9, 2027. A GenXS section and the branded GenXS Cart will return to the streets of Port of Spain for two days of mas.
Since the collaboration began in 2024, Trinidad has become a regular stop on the GenXS calendar, bringing together members of its Jamaica and Miami communities.
GenXS marks five seasons at Jamaica Carnival
GenXS will return home for Immortals J’Ouvert on April 3 and the Jamaica Carnival road march on April 4, 2027. The band’s fifth Jamaican season follows its road debut in 2023 and is being introduced through the “Watch the Road” pre-registration campaign.
“Five seasons in Jamaica gives us plenty to celebrate, but we’re just as excited about what comes next,” said Monét Flowers, Acting Marketing Director of GenXS Carnival. “‘Watch the Road’ puts our masqueraders’ point of view at the centre of the experience. From the smart glasses to what we’re planning for the road, we want to give people more ways to enjoy Carnival and keep those memories. There’s much more to announce.”
The campaign features GenXS Smart Glasses, designed to capture Carnival from the wearer’s perspective, alongside GenXS Moon Slides, the GenXS Carry-On Capsule and insulated mugs. After its Miami Carnival comeback, GenX is looking ahead to the next season of Caribbean Carnival, with Trinidad Carnival 2027 and Jamaica Carnival 2027 on the calendar.
Photos by Richard Dean all Rights Reserved
