Improving on tradition

Some changes are in store for this year’s popular Flow Oistins Fish Festival which has become a staple in Barbadian culture to celebrate the Easter season.

Despite the harsh economic climate, the festival committee received a cash donation of BDS$25,000 from their title sponsors, Flow. Senior Manager, Flow Southern Caribbean, Marilyn Sealy said the company was happy to continue their title sponsorship.

“From a sponsorship perspective, we are extremely pleased to know that local culture will once again take centre stage over the long Easter weekend in this southern fishing district,” she said.

Chairman Toni Thorne said the festival this year would be more structured and the events will attempt to raise the bar which was set very high after the pre-launch attracted the likes of international celebrities Lil Kim, Mya and Chili.

“I think that’s the expectation that the public will have for us and we are trying to live up to that. We have hired a creative director and we have a new committee as well as the old committee members. So, it is about merging new technologies and new ideas with tradition. I think we are going to do a good job and have a really successful festival,” she said.

Thorne said this year they have included new events that cater to the entire family such as Standard Celebrity Cook-Off, live cooking demonstrations, book readings, Pan in the Bay, a folk concert and so much more.

The event has had a minor name change with the removal of fish from the popular name Oistins Fish Festival to Flow Oistins Festival. However, Thorne said the change is to showcase all that the Oistins area has to offer.

“The change in name reflects the widening scope of this event that will celebrate all things Oistins, especially the talents of our people through food, sports, the arts, and our culture,” she said.

The event kicks off with a thanksgiving service at St Lawrence Anglican Church on April 14, 2019. (LG)