Ready for mas

All systems are being put in place to ensure that the new route for the Grand Kadooment parade will be a comfortable and enjoyable experience for thousands of revellers and spectators on August 1, Emancipation Day.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Carol Roberts-Reifer also revealed that for the first time in many years, artistes will be joining bands on the road for performances.

The announcement was made during a press conference today at the NCF, West Terrace, St James.

Roberts-Reifer toured the route along the ABC Highway on Tuesday morning around 5 a.m. with members of the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA), Barbados Police Service, Barbados Defence Force, the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Ministry of Health and Wellness, to identify the points where members of the public can gather to watch the bands.

She said at the lookout and stage points, the public will have access to food vendors, sanitary facilities, water stations for the revellers, among other facilities.

“We are starting at Warrens, going all the way up to the Emancipation Statue [also known as the Bussa Statue], looping and coming all the way down going through Waterford Boulevard. The bands are going to the National Stadium, they are going to be fed and watered, the revellers that is. Then we are going to have just a little cool down in the Botanical Gardens that worked so well just a few days ago for Pandemonium.

“Around 9 o’clock we bring that event to an end by announcing the dates of Crop Over 2023 so that we can begin the marketing of the festival with the BTMI internationally, and begin planning the 2023 festival with our stakeholder groups,” Roberts-Reifer explained.

The CEO said that in addition to screens being placed at various points along the route, there will be steel pan and percussion performances to give spectators an authentic feeling, vibe and rhythm.

She also indicated that at this time, thewas working with Ingrid Holder of Livewire Entertainment to get between 15 to 20 artistes performing with the costume bands.

“As you line the route you are almost guaranteed to see a slew of artistes. Then of course in Botanical Gardens you will see performances as well. I know you haven’t seen that for a while because on the route we would have used previously, there is always the precaution of keeping clear of the high-tension wires. We have no such restriction on the highway.

“So we are going to do it in a relay where we will have one central vehicle and then the artistes will go from band to band and not only perform for the revellers but also for the thousands that we expect to line the route. World-renowned Deejay Puffy who belongs to us will also be joining us along the route spinning tunes like fire. So that also promises to be a wonderful event,” she said.

While two large bands have pulled out of Grand Kadooment due to logistical issues, Roberts-Reifer said the NCF has been going the extra mile to help the bands and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has invested a significant amount of money and manpower in promoting the festival, including bringing dozens of influencers to the island.

In fact, Roberts-Reifer said that 40 members of the international media would be coming under the BTMI umbrella to capture the flavour of the festival.

“We also have tried at every turn possible to assist the Barbados Association of Masqueraders (BAM) and the Fore Day Morning bands collective. And that partnership has worked very well this year.”

She said that collaboration extended to the Festival of the Bands event at Ball Park in Christ Church which was an initiative the NCF took to the band leaders association to boost costume sales.

“From all reports I received there was an uptake in both Grand Kadooment and Fore Day Morning packages after that,” Roberts-Reifer added. (AH)