BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH little more than a month remaining before the Federation goes into full party mode with the annual Sugar Mas celebration, the National Carnival Committee is in discussion with stakeholders and it is possible that changes might be implemented.
Queen contestants, calypsonians, soca artistes and even revellers are all in full preparation mode, readying themselves for the 43rd Carnival Festival.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes Chairman of the National Carnival Committee, Sylvester Anthony stated that preparations for the festival and discussion with the stakeholders – about concerns and changes - have been taking place for months.
“The planning for sugar mas is on-going…since July and we are satisfied we are moving steadily to ensuring we have an extremely exciting and colourful Sugar Mas 43.
“We are having discussions with the various troupes and bands and we are discussing a number of changes that we will announce at an appropriate time after they have been agreed upon and approved. We can indicate that there are going to be some major changes and are all intended to enhance the carnival product we want to put on the road this year.”
Anthony also stated that he was slated to meet with some remaining stakeholders before meeting with the Carnival Committee to finalise the Sugar Mas 43 calendar.
“I have meetings Thursday with the Soca Monarch artists and we have a meeting on Friday with the vendors. I am hoping that we can complete the meetings with all the various stakeholders then I will be in a position to meet with the Carnival Committee and get the final programme approved.”
The Carnival Chair was also asked about the public’s response thus far to the opening of registration for carnival activities.
“I must admit I have not been briefed as to what the numbers are. I try not to get involved in that process. Registration has been open for quite some time and we had advertisements promoting the registration as they are open for all the disciplines.
“We have deadline dates for the closing of registration. Once the deadline has passed for registration, we will then review what has happened and if we have requests from people to extend the time.”
The Carnival Chairman also stated that they are in the process of reviewing the prizes that will be awarded for carnival and that requests have been made to add to the current prizes as opposed to increasing them. One such example, Anthony stated, is the Road March, with a first runner up position being added to the list of winner.
Sugar Mas 43 – according to Anthony - is slated for November 21 – January 4.
