NCF promises fixes after Pic-O-De-Crop Finals snags

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) is set to review at least one crucial aspect of its next Crop Over Festival mass event, as it highlighted some major challenges to an otherwise pleasing production of Friday’s Courtesy Garage Pic-o-De-Crop Calypso Finals at the National Botanical Gardens in Waterford, St Michael.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NCF, Carol Roberts, revealed early Saturday morning, at the end of the finals, that lighting for patrons entering the venue will be re-examined.

Roberts said that while the NCF was able to deliver on the majority of things it intended by building out the space at the botanical gardens, everything did not go according to plan.

“We discovered that several of the chairs were faulty. I fell in one myself. So I made the decision that we would swap out the chairs for the safety of the patrons… It took some time, and so that was when patrons were arriving. So what that did was push back the time for gates to be open,” the CEO told Barbados TODAY.

“It was also determined,” the foundation head added, “that we would start promptly at 8. So, the anthem was playing at 8. That being said, there were patrons that were coming in after the first 3,500 to 4,000 seats were filled who would not have had a seat. We then quickly swapped out those chairs. Benny Rowe and his team and the NCF tech team were able to load and offload four truckloads of chairs. It took some time, as you could well imagine. So that was a major snag for us. Patrons were not happy…those who did not get chairs.”

“I also think that when we get ready now for Soca 25 [on Tuesday], we will review some of the lighting… The lighting for the parking was quite good, but one entrance for patrons… we will go back and look at that. I think those would be the two major snags for us. The patrons, however, had a great time. Thanks very much to everybody who came out.”

Roberts also addressed what she said was a lot of speculation “for the entire season” as to the readiness of the National Botanical Gardens.

“I think we proved that it can be used, obviously with some improvements. The weather was kind to us… only had a few showers. And again, the patrons stayed, and we were able to roll out a lot of the innovations in stage design and setup, and that went very well,’ the chief executive reported.

She also shared news of an unfortunate situation affecting some of her employees while on the job on Friday.

“Two of my staff members at various points of the day collapsed due to heat exhaustion and not eating properly. So I had to make sure that they were okay. All in all, I think that everybody involved with the preparations did what they were supposed to do to a high degree, and these things happen. And when they happen, you can either throw up your hands and say, ‘Oh my God, what am I gonna do?’ or you are gonna fix it,” Roberts stated.

She also reported that Foreday Mornin’ Jam, which followed immediately after the calypso competition, started on time…just about 1:05 am.

She reminded Barbadians of Bridgetown Market on Saturday and Sunday, Grand Kadooment Day on Monday, and Soca 25 on Tuesday.

“So, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for continued good weather and that people come out on their best behaviour and look out for each other, and we end Crop Over 2025 on a high note,” the NCF chief urged.

Asked about possible changes for Crop Over 2026, Roberts explained that she could not speak to such at this stage because any adjustments would be determined by the outcome of upcoming stakeholder meetings.

“We will start our review meetings… Normally, we start them in August. We will probably start them after CARIFESTA [Caribbean Festival of Arts] because, in three weeks, we celebrate the region in arts and culture in CARIFESTA. So, probably early in September, we will meet with our stakeholders and then begin to plan for next year,” she disclosed.

The NCF head said all of that would be done while undertaking the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), continuing to stage events for We Gatherin’, getting ready for the 60^th independence celebrations, and the Food and Rum Festival. (EJ)