BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE most anticipated community festival in St. Kitts, Green Valley, will officially begins tonight (May 20) with the opening ceremony scheduled for 8:00 p.m. at the Festival Village.
Corporate company LIME has already shown its support by making a monetary donation to the Festival’s Committee at a brief ceremony on Monday last.
Despite the global economic downturn, the telecommunication company, which has been sponsoring the Troupes on Parade Day, was still able to make a contribution although it is less than that of previous years.
Vernon Benjamin, Chairman of the Green Valley Committee, said about five troupes would be parading on Monday, May 24.
The festival will be held under the theme, “Promoting Community Development through Cultural Involvement for 14 years.”
Benjamin said he is pleased with the way the festival is going and that plans are being executed well. He pointed out that security has been working well with them and it has stepped up for this year’s event.
“At the festival, searches will be done at the gate and shortly the police will be releasing a statement as to how security will be conducted this year,” he said.
In terms of the Calypso Show, which will be held on Saturday, May 22, although there has not been a calypso elimination competition, Benjamin said that a tent was held on Saturday night (May 15) at Big Lice Night Spot and “everything is going well”.
He said that 10 calypsonians would be competing this year for the crown, including the reigning Green Valley Monarch, Queen Angie.
“Practice has been going good. The tent held on Saturday went well and the calypsonians are ready for Saturday night,” he said.
The Queen Show and the Junior Calypso Competition will be jointly held on Friday, May 21, and will feature six and five contestants respectively.
Last year, the International Night was a flop because many of the artistes were not known by the patrons. This year however, the popular former Gaza Empire artiste Black Ryno of Jamaica will be the head-line act.
Benjamin said that the night would feature a number of entertainments and would begin from about 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
He said that a number of sounds are scheduled to perform on the International Night, and following Black Ryno’s performance the
Nu Vybes Band would take to the stage until it is time for J’Ouvert jamming through the streets.
Kollision Band and Higher Heights will provide music for the J’Ouvert and both bands will return later in the afternoon for the
Parade Day, along with the reigning Road March Champs, Grand Masters Band. Small Axe band will be providing music later in the evening for the Last Lap celebration at the Festival Village.
Other scheduled activities as part of the Green Valley Festival are an Agriculture & Food Fair, Children Time and a Church Service.
