Beginning tonight, June 30, Vincymas ’23 steps into the bright lights and on to the big stage as the main activities shift to Carnival City at Victoria Park.

Traditionally, tonight’s activity, the calypso semi-finals, has been the launching pad of what we first embarked upon in 1977 as “10 days of mas and music”. In today’s world it has been branded as “Fantastic Friday”, by no means an original concept, but one which embodies the sense of popular participation in the festival which the calypso semis have always initiated.

In recent years, it is true to say that some of the shine has been rubbed off the calypso semifinals. Yet for diehard calypso fans, the semifinals are regarded as the “big one baby”. One can attribute this to the fact that there is a much wider field on show, catering for wider interests and tastes, as well as in the past participants had to sing two songs, traditionally one social commentary and the other an upbeat “road march” offering. This approach would be difficult to justify today with the decline in standards and the popular clamour for shorter shows.

Thankfully as the emphasis shifts next to the Juniors, there will be much optimism for the success of the Festival. July 1-3 will showcase the talents of our younger generation in all three categories of carnival, mas, pan and calypso / soca. There is every indication based on the offerings of our juniors in recent years that we can expect excellence once again.

It will be interesting to note the public response to next Thursday night’s offering by the associations of pannists and masqueraders, dubbed “Steel and Glitter”. In recent years this show has demonstrated signs of growing popularity and we can only encourage patrons to continue to support these hard working patriots who sacrifice so much to enrich our cultural experience. It is not easy in today’s world to make such sacrifices for so little rewards, materially at least. They deserve our full support.

Next weekend will usher in the “big events”, the major finals in all three categories. In addition to what will be on offer, from all reports there continues to be renewed interest from outside based on arrivals by both overseas Vincys as well as visitors. We applaud all those who have worked so hard to achieve this and urge us all as hosts to justify that faith in our product.

The Carnival Development committee (CDC) has had its own challenges, including a boycott of the Soca Monarch competition which did not seem to achieve the desired effect. All our differences, real and perceived must now take second place towards ensuring the wider national goal of a successful Carnival.

As we extend a warm welcome to our visitors and wish all a most enjoyable and successful carnival, may we remind all to exercise restraint and concern for the welfare of others, to control and limit our alcohol intake and the excesses which often go with it, to show respect for our women who we also urge to demonstrate self-respect and avoid lewdness in public. Above all, let us keep our children and young ones in mind and set a good example.

Happy Carnival, SVG!