BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – YES there was a soft launch and, yes the calypso tents were rocking with entertainment and carnival kaiso, but the Sugar Mas’ 42 season was not quite yet open… until now.
Hundreds of carnival lovers flooded the western end of the Old Treasury Building on Friday evening (Nov. 23) for what many have described as a long-awaited and enjoyable Carnival Launch.
It was preceded by a small parade around the streets of Basseterre that featured the Junior Calypso Monarch, the reigning Miss Talented Teen, mummies, masquerades and mock-a-jumbies. And notwithstanding the fact that it began traditionally late, it still managed to fascinate onlookers who lined the streets along the route.
The Opening Ceremony, which began with a steel pan rendition of the National Anthem and an invocation, was packed with exciting surprises which appeared effective in whetting the appetites of the expectant audience.
Among the attractions was the official introduction of the contestants for the Miss Talented Teen Pageant.
Of special moment was the long-awaited revelation of the identity of the contestants of the 2013/2014 National Carnival Queen Pageant: Yarayni Morton, Shakeda Gerald, Lasanna Yearwood, Kaeve ‘Mimi’ Armstrong and Brianda Harvey.
Cyril ‘Puntan’ Webster Pringle, an avid carnival and sports enthusiast, was declared the Sugar Mas’ 42 Grand Marshal; a position he indicates he is happy to hold.
Those who would have been paying attention to all things carnival would have noticed a new logo been floating about in connection with season. The new insignia was created by Diego Spanner and his team, complements the Sugar Mas’ brand. It was explained that the insignia would not replace the previous one but would appear along with it.
The other Sugar Mas’ 42 tags which are the slogan “Sugar Mas’ 42 Eee belong to me and you” and the jingle were displayed and played for the viewing and listening audiences. Their creators – Yakishma Clarke and Nadia Berridge–Williams respectively - were handsomely rewarded for their contribution to the Sugar Mas 2013/2014 brand.
Clarke walked away from the competition with a $500 cash prize and two tickets to the paid events for Sugar Mas’ 42’, while Berridge-Williams won a $1 500 cash prize and two tickets to the season’s paid events.
It is more than a month to go before the first street parade of the season takes place, but troupe organisers are already displaying their costumes. The Children’s Carnival costumes – reflective of this year’s ‘Going Green’ theme - was launched at the event.
It features five sections - Solar Energy, Biofuel, Wind Energy, Geothermal Energy and Tide Energy.
Fhunn Vybz also displayed its ‘Colour Me Crazy’ troupe. The spectrum of colours offered are Green Bliss, Red Confidence, Blue Motivation, Purple Royalty and Fearless Yellow.
In declaring Sugar Mas’ 42 open, Minister of Culture the Hon. Marcella Liburd commended the committee for its hard work and dedication as well as for its creativity in injecting innovative events into the calendar of events.
She extended an invitation to all to participate more and do less observing in the carnival.
Following the Minister’s declaration, a brilliant display of fireworks ensued.
The evening ended with a jam session by the Sugar Mas’ 41 Road March champions, the Small Axe Band.
