Chairman of the Oistins Festival Organising Committee Toni Thorne is satisfied with the outcome of the 2022 edition of the festival which ended on Monday.
Following the successful execution of the Fish Boning, Dolphin Skinning, and Greasy Pole competitions, Thorne told members of the media that considering that the committee only had three weeks to plan the festival after being given the okay from the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit, it was good.
“We worked around the clock 24/7 to make sure that we had as much of what we are used to as a festival. It was a softened version of the festival which meant that some activities we couldn’t do due to COVID protocols. And even though we did do some activities, we had to adjust them a bit to observe the COVID protocols.
“We are pleased, but as you know you can’t please everybody. But we are always listening and we are always hearing what people have to say and we will take it back to the drawing board and execute a 2023 Oistins Festival that is even better than the one that we had in 2019 when we took over,” she said.
The chairman also said she was satisfied with the execution of the competitions that were included in the festival. She was particularly pleased with the Easter Bonnet Parade which usually attracted children from the Christ Church communities in and around the Oistins area, but this year welcomed children from all across the island who showcased their fancy bonnets on a catwalk.
Thorne added that the Celebrity Cook Off competition was also a hit. She said while the celebrities were not paid to participate in the competition, the winner, Ishaka McNeil, was given the opportunity to choose a charity which was given a donation. McNeil chose the Walk Proud Again charity to receive the monetary contribution.
“I saw somebody said that we are bringing this new inclusivity and inclusivity is a good thing. You want Oistins Festival to be a national festival, it focuses on the Oistins area but you get participation and interest from all Barbadians,” she said.
Approximately 100 vendors participated in the festival which started on Friday evening. Several of them told Barbados TODAY that while they were grateful for whatever sales came their way. They are hoping that 2023 attracts a larger crowd.
“I got some sales and I am thankful, but I am hoping that next year is a better year,” one vendor said.
This year, top honours in the Dolphin Skinning competition went to Tyrone Shorey for the 17th time. Darius Hope placed second and Flavian Dowdy, third.
The Fish Boning Competition was won by Sharon Atherley-Yarde while Jaqueline Norgrove placed second and Gracelyn Moseley who won the competition in 2019, took third place.
In 19 seconds, De Oistins Crew made up of Zico Brathwaite, Joshua Drayton and Kobie Brathwaite, won the Greasy Pole Competition. (AH)
