Agricultural Exhibition sets to take off!
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Chairman of the Agricultural Exhibition Dr. Jerome Thomas |
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Plans for the 2008 National Agricultural Exhibition were revealed to the general public at a press conference held at Government Headquarters yesterday, September 8.
The event was usually held during April at the Agricultural Department at La Guerite, however, this year, as a part of the Silver Jubilee Independence celebrations, the three-day event slated for September 11-13 will be held on the grounds of Warner Park.
The Exhibition, which is expected to be bigger and better that previous years, is jointly-sponsored by Cable and Wireless bMobile and TDC.
Chairman of the Agricultural Exhibition Dr. Jerome Thomas, during his presentation at the conference, expressed his excitement in the entire event.
“The aim is to reflect on what agriculture has contributed to the economy during the 25 years of Independence and to project what the agricultural contributions and developments are likely to be in the next 25 years,” he stated. ~~Adz:Right~~
Dr. Thomas added that the theme, “Agriculture: 25 years of productivity; Agriculture: fruit basket for national sustainability”, which was the winning entry in the theme’s competition, is ideal and entirely reflects the aim of the agricultural exhibition. He further stated that the event should cover a wide range of areas and linkages to agriculture and gave a brief outline of the layout of the exhibition.
He stated that livestock and fisheries would be exhibited in Carnival Village, while the players’ dining hall (downstairs the old pavilion) would house the flower display, and art and craft would be displayed above. He added that on the western mount, on the cricket grounds, there would be a large show of crops from farmers and cooperatives involved in related activity.
The football field is expected to be used for ornamental/ plant nursery showcase with expositions from at least nine private enterprises and regional agencies (including CARDI and FAO), along with a grand food court, while the football stadium would house a furniture exhibit and a history of the sugar industry on the ground and top floors respectively.
The Chairman further stated that the Exhibition is also being promoted as a family event and so there would be a Kid’s Zone in the area where lawn tennis is played. He outlined that on Friday, September 12 at 4:30 p.m., a Cultural Extravaganza and a Dog Show would be held, while a 25/25 cricket match between St. Kitts and Nevis is scheduled for the following day.
Dr. Thomas has appealed to the general public to go out and support the effort and noted that the small entrance fee of EC$5 seems reasonable. The Exhibition begins at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday and ends with a fireworks display on Saturday.
