First full Carnival in TT since pandemic – TOBAGO MAS OCTOBER 28-30
The country’s first full Carnival since the advent of the pandemic two years ago will be held in October in Tobago.
After Trinidad was only able to get a taste of the national festival in February – owing to strict covid19 public health regulations in place at that time – THA Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris announced a full Carnival show set for October 28-30.
Speaking at the assembly’s Mandate Monday virtual forum, Burris said a committee was being established to oversee the planning and execution of the festival, which is expected to see a host of Carnival events over the course of three days.
“We have a number of consultants who have agreed to come on board and lend their expertise, their advice and their training in order for us to execute this event.
“And we’re looking forward to the participation of all our stakeholders. Everybody who has been waiting for a Tobago Carnival can look forward to it in October.”
Responding to questions about the committee and the events which will make up Tobago Carnival, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the committee is still being formalised.
“By next week you can get that. I can tell you that later this week, an organising committee would be announced and that would be the committee to spearhead all activities.
“The conversations started a long time ago with the stakeholders, so there is pretty much a very clear idea as to what sort of activities we would have,” Augustine said.
He added that consultations included stakeholders from the Trinidad space, “because we want to attract Trinidadians in bulk to the Tobago space on that last weekend (in October). We want all of you at that month-end period to engage as much as possible.”
Questioned about a budget, Augustine said: “No, the budget for Carnival has not been finalised.”
There was a scaled-down version of the national event held in February, called a Taste of Carnival, for which Government allocated a budget of $20 million to the National Carnival Commission (NCC). This came after Carnival was cancelled in 2021 because of the pandemic.
Despite no committee being named and no budget established, stakeholders in Tobago’s cultural and tourism sectors have begun discussions.
Chairman of the Tobago Carnival Bandleaders Association Jemma Bedlow told Newsday mas bands have started to prepare for the return to mas on the road.
“The bandleaders are gearing up and ready. Carnival workshops should commence next week…so the bandleaders have started to kick off. We are having participations in all forms and I have put all the workshops in place to ensure this happens,” Bedlow said.
She added that experts from Trinidad would be coming over to lend their experience and technical know-how to make the mas the best it can be.
“We are expecting to have a grand time in October,” she said.
Chairman of Pan Trinbago’s Tobago Region Salisha James, contacted for comment, said: “We are ready to discuss the Tobago Carnival and we already have some ideas. I think it is a welcome initiative.”
Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation (TUCO) president Ainsley King said: “That is something that is well-anticipated and TUCO is looking forward to. The calypsonians are excited and they are looking forward to this Carnival. They are making preparations.”
New Tobago Soca Monarch show chairman Avery Seaton told Newsday: “We are ready. We have been watching and waiting and we are ready. We are ready to take that step in October to make the island proud of us again.”
NCC chairman Winston “Gypsy” Peters – a long-time advocate for a specific Carnival festival for Tobago – could notbe reached on Monday for a comment. for a comment.
This story was originally published with the headline Tobago Carnival confirmed for October and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.
Tobago preparing for its Carnival from October 28-30
Secretary in the THA Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris made the announcement as she addressed Mandate Monday, a production of the Tobago House of Assembly held virtually on Monday.
Burris said a committee has already been put in place.
“We have a number of consultants who have agreed to come on board with their expertise, their advice and their training to be able to execute this event and we’re looking forward to the participation of all our stakeholders, and everybody who has been waiting for Carnival can come to Carnival in October.”
Kinnesha George