Secrets Mas SXM by Rio Productions Presents "Reflections" for St. Maarten’s 55th Carnival

GREAT BAY--"𝘈 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴, 𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴."

Following the June announcement of its 2026 Carnival theme, Secrets Mas SXM by Rio Productions on Thursday presented the theme for its Carnival 2026 Grand Parade troupe entitled "𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞."

As the island celebrates its 55th Carnival anniversary, 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 is more than a theme; the 2026 showcase will honor the craft, rhythm, laughter, and devotion that define St. Maarten’s culture. Iconic designs from past seasons will return in vibrant reinterpretations. REFLECTIONS celebrates the soul of who we are and the connection between culture, music, movement, and community.

“𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 as a theme is deeply personal to me,” said Brenda Wathey of Rio Productions. “We’re celebrating where we’ve been and where we’re headed, but also the people and the passion that have carried Carnival through the years. It honors our history while infusing it with bold creativity, fearless energy, and a deep love for the culture. It’s about honoring the hands and hearts that built carnival and channeling their legacy through new designs and reinterpretations. Dating back to the very beginning with our costume designers Gregory Medina and Christopher Santos, right up to Dellan Thomas and Alicia Hart”.

“Each section tells a story, fusing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary flair and energy, and every element in our costumes blends the beauty of yesterday with the brilliance of today. Revelers will see that what we’re bringing to the road in 2026 is not just costumes or fashion; it’s carnival itself, that magical moment when culture, art, and people come together as one,” said Alicia Hart, Lead Designer.

Participants can expect:

• Bold designs.

• Vibrant energy

• A celebration of culture.

• An unforgettable road experience.

“As Rio Productions is known for its lighted parades, we’re especially thrilled to see this concept now officially included in the SCDF Carnival schedule,” added Wathey. “What began as a creative spark grew into one of the island’s most anticipated parades outside of Carnival, and we’re excited to see that same light and energy continue through the 2026 Labor Day Parade. We invite all Carnival lovers to join in the experience. This is the season to celebrate boldly, fearlessly, and make unforgettable memories.”

Secrets Mas SXM by Rio Productions is one of St. Maarten’s leading Carnival troupes. Winners of the 2024 and 2025 Best Adult Troupe and Best Adult Individual Costume. It’s known for its high-energy experiences, bold designs, and unforgettable presence on the road. Rooted in creativity and culture, it continues to set the stage for revelry, style, and the enduring, vibrant spirit of Carnival.

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