BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AT the opening ceremony of the 2016/2017 Sugar Mas held at The Circus on Friday evening (Nov. 18), Minister of Culture the Hon. Shawn Richards took the opportunity to pay tribute to some of the fallen icons in the cultural fraternity.
The Minister, who officially declared the National Carnival open, expressed a hearty thank you to the family and friends of those whom he indicated had contributed to the development of culture and Sugar Mas over the years and would have passed away.
“I say thank you for a job well done and I also extend our deepest condolences to their families.”
At that point he called for a moment of silence in memory of the fallen cultural icons, including Spencer Duggins, Theophilus Chun Lee and Cyril ‘Puntan’ Webster, all of whom had functioned as Sugar Mas Grand Marshalls.
Celebrating under the theme ‘Feel the Rhythm, Positive Vibes for Sugar Mas 45’, Richards is encouraging everyone to go out and enjoy the various rhythms and sounds that the events would have on offer.
He is also encouraging everyone to set good examples to those who would be visiting during the Carnival season, including returning nationals.
Following up on last year’s successful introduction of new events to the calendar of activities, this year the Carnival Committee has done the same by introducing contestants for the various competitions, among which were the National Carnival Queen, Miss Swimsuit, Talented Teen and Mr. GCue Competitions.
Those who will be competing in the National Carnival Queen Pageant are Nordia Demming, Jonieka Smithen, Shantara Hewlett, Hydeia Tyson and Katherina Davis; while Raven Richards, Kachiana Robin, Zena Hyman, Julisa David, Shakira Pitt and Nakilah Watson are the competing in the Miss Swimwear.
Competitors for the Talented Teen Title are Anusuyah Bhoojraj of the Basseterre High School, Dahneira Hodge of Washington Archibald High School, Sarai Hutchinson of Cayon High School, Lucia Parris-Liburd of Gingerland Secondary, Zafi Alder of Charles E Mills Secondary, Dolicia Barry of Verchilds High School), Tatyana Browne of Saddlers Secondary, and Terrencia Nisbett of the Charlestown Secondary Sixth Form.
And the contestants for Mr. GCue Competition are Kevin Adams, Earl Brotherson, Joseph Tudor and Carl Samuel.
For the first time on the National Carnival calendar is the Caribbean Carnival Queen Pageant which is slated for December 17.
At this new pageant, Khyla Brown, the reigning Miss Culture, will be representing St. Kitts and Zaria Brown is Nevis’ representative.
“As I look at the programme, I must say that indeed there is something for all of us. No matter of interest, age or sex, I implore on all of us to go out to the various activities for Sugar Mas 45,” Minister Richards said.
Chairman of the Carnival Committee, Noah Mills explained that it has been a “tremendous journey” they have travelled since Sugar Mas 44, noting they had indicated that Carnival would not be just around “Carnival window”.
“All through this year we were going from village to village giving back to communities, and I must thank all of my sponsors and team members,” Mills said.
Competition
He noted that transparency was promised and his Committee had delivered when they submitted their “income statement for the entire fiscal year, from last year up to September this year”.
The often outspoken Mills disclosed that the Committee has seen the numbers grow across all areas of the competition and non-competition aspects of Carnival.
Meanwhile, SKNVibes has given back to the Federation’s major event, when the media house partnered with the National Carnival Committee to sponsor one of the contestants in the Mr. GCue Pageant slated for December 27.
The first event for Carnival was held yesterday morning (Nov. 19) with the early Bird J’Ouvert on both islands.
However, competitions will kick off on Thursday (Nov. 24) with the first eliminations in the Groovy and Power Soca Competitions.
