Despite a slightly lower attendance on the road for Carnival 2015, Arts and Multiculturalism Minster Dr Lincoln Douglas declared the celebrations a success.
Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital, Douglas said while there may have been less participation in Port-of-Spain on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, there was an increase in community events.
He said all agencies involved in Carnival were on the ball in ensuring that plans were executed efficiently. He said this resulted in shows such as Panorama and Dimanche Gras finishing in its alloted time, resulting a better production for both the local and international community.
“Of course we have the issue of finances, most of the huge bands are all-inclusive and they cost a significant amount of money. It might be a good opportunity now to reduce the cost of their mas,” he said, as one of the reasons for fewer masqueraders.
“Prior to Carnival 2015, I came here and said we were looking forward to a very successful Carnival so I am back to tell you it has been such. Carnival 2015 was very successful in many ways. I think the planning and execution that we started very early in the year paid off.”
He said there were roughly 40,000 regular visitors from Barbados, Grenada, China and South Africa, including the mayor from South African city where Carnival is being sold. He added that a team from Barbados also visited to see how Carnival can have a greater influence in the island’s Crop Over Festival.
No issue with Socadrome
Noting that the Socadrome has wooed some of the big bands away from the Queen’s Park Savannah stage on Carnival Tuesday, Douglas said he has no problem with it as it offers an alternative for masqueraders. Douglas who viewed Tribe crossing the Socadrome at the Jean Pierre Complex on Tuesday said it was yet to be a total success in terms of the crowd it attracts.
“I think the Socadrome provided an opportunity for masqueraders who wanted to do a particular kind of mas and play mas in a particular kind of way, and people who wanted to view a particular kind of mas.
No issue with Socadrome
Noting that the Socadrome has wooed some of the big bands away from the Queen’s Park Savannah stage on Carnival Tuesday, Douglas said he has no problem with it as it offers an alternative for masqueraders. Douglas who viewed Tribe crossing the Socadrome at the Jean Pierre Complex on Tuesday said it was yet to be a total success in terms of the crowd it attracts.
“I think the Socadrome provided an opportunity for masqueraders who wanted to do a particular kind of mas and play mas in a particular kind of way, and people who wanted to view a particular kind of mas.