Chairman impressed with 2008/09 Carnival efforts
By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Right~~BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH the recent conclusion of the 2008/09 Carnival season, Chairman of the Carnival Committee Gus Williams has expressed “immense pleasure and satisfaction” at the recent proceedings.
Held under the banner “Nuff Rhythm, Plenty Lime”, the Carnival season featured the annual mainstays including beauty pageants, calypso competitions and the frenetic street activities coupled with newer events, such as the annual Reggae Bash and the Chippie Carnival Madness Concert.
According to Williams, although attendance at the events was reduced in comparison to last year’s, he is still confident that the quality of the Carnival product was superior.
“We won’t break the records we set last year and this can be attributed to the global economic crisis which affected visitor arrivals. The Committee does its best to ensure each Carnival season is better than the last and we accomplished that goal this year. The quality of the proceedings has been lifted and I think this enhancement is evident to all spectators,” asserted the Chairman.
This Carnival season saw the crowning of Samantha Boone as Miss St. Kitts, Berriscia Byron as Miss UDC Talented Teen and St. Kitts’ own Che-Raina Warner as Miss Haynes-Smith Caribbean Talented Teen.
In the calypso arena, Miss Independence Kerissa Willett walked away with the title of Junior Calypso Queen while Singing Jackie won the Female Calypso Competition and was a strong First Runner-up to King Konris in the Calypso Monarch Competition.
Williams admitted that in recent years the judging had been questionable, but that this year’s consensus was “spot on”. He also pointed to Konris’ historic four-peat and the presence of four ladies in the Calypso Finals as his personal highlights of the Carnival season.
“When you look at those four ladies and Willett’s victory [in the Junior Calypso Competition], it speaks to the fact that women are finally taking the forum seriously. I can only hope that the success of these ladies encourages others to consider participating. They are all good role models for young people and for the art form itself,” he stressed.
However, Williams did express disappointment at the participation in the Children’s Parade but balanced it by commending those brave enough to join Carnival troupes and praised “their sensible behaviour” and the “well-balanced music” played by the bands.
He also disclosed that the Committee would be looking seriously into changing the venue for shows from Carnival Village to Warner Park for the next Carnival season.
Williams also thanked the business sector for its support during the season and revealed intentions to partner with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) in an effort to revitalise steel pan playing in schools.
