BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A Carnival Village and an International Night are among new initiatives expected to be introduced to the calendar of events to celebrate Sugar Mas 42.
In an interview with SKNVibes, Carnival Chairman Sylvester Anthony stated that they are trying to satisfy the calls received last year from the general public.
“This year we are trying to satisfy the request that we received last year. People have been calling on Carnival to do a lot of things, so this year we are trying to respond to some of those.
“Additionally, there are some things we wanted to do last year that we didn't get to do. For example, the Calypso Extempo that we had planned and the Band Clash, a lot of people have been calling on us to do so. We have spoken to some of the bands and they look like they are interested.”
He added that they would be organising an International Night that would feature artistes from overseas, which he disclosed would be the first of the main activities.
“We have gotten a number of people who have been calling and asking us to put together an International Night where we would bring international artistes to perform.
“I can indicate at this point that we are going to have an international night and it will be one of the first main activities we will have. The line-up we have for that is extremely interesting and we will be announcing that in due course. We expect it to be a tremendous show.”
Anthony went on to say that some individuals were calling for a carnival village atmosphere to be included in the activities and noted that the committee is working very hard to ensure it does take place.
“We have had those who have been asking for a carnival village atmosphere, where during the day and even into the night where people can assemble.
“We are working very hard to organise that. It will not be in the Carnival Village because of its physical state, but we have had preliminary discussions with the Taxi Association, the police and the other relevant authorities and stores in The Circus.
“The intention is for us to use The Circus for a carnival village environment in that area and perhaps have lunchtime music and performances to really bring the spirit of Christmas into Basseterre.”
He also mentioned organising a breakfast fete and a fitness fair.
“We plan as well this year to have a breakfast fete to bring back the beach bash arrangements. We are adding another event as well...a Fitness Fair. We know Carnival is a time that asks people to exert a lot of energy.
“We want to preach health and wellness, both in terms of being fit for Carnival and doing the proper things for Carnival. So we hope to have that in The Square and we hope to make it different than the traditional health fairs that we have focusing on Soca and physical fitness. Those plans are underway and by the time we are ready to announce them we would give many more details about that.”
He added that they would be making some alterations to the Basseterre Alive Street Fair.
“We will also be making some changes to Basseterre Alive into a multi-cultural event and bring in the other culture groups in St.Kitts. We want to do something bigger and better for Basseterre Alive to bring the city to life.”
Carnival is expected kick on November 23, 2013 with a T-shirt Mas Street Parade.
