More cash for winners at Vincy Mas Prize giving

Vincy Mas 2024 saw an increase in cash prizes for winners in the various categories- and they received their money on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at a prize giving ceremony at Victoria Park.

Miss SVG 2024 Arena Foy (left), and Madzart, this year’s Calypso monarch

Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), Ricardo Adams said that following negotiations with the government to increase the prize money awarded to winners in carnival competitions, there was a 30 per cent increase in several areas of Vincymas this year.

The winner of this year’s Soca Monarch, Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper, received EC$60,000, an increase from EC$25,000 in the previous year. Hance John, the winner of the Ragga Soca competition, was awarded EC$30,000, double that of the previous year; and Reon “Madzart” Primus, the winner of the Calypso competition, received EC$30,000, up from EC$25,000.

This year, the CDC paid out approximately EC$960,000 in prize money, an increase of about EC$300,000 from previous years.

Adams noted in his remarks at the prize giving ceremony that numerous plans were in place for carnival 2024, with several flights scheduled to arrive in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and places offering accommodation were fully booked. However, when Hurricane Beryl made landfall on July 1, it upended the initial plans.

He congratulated the winners of the various components of Vincymas, and specifically congratulated this year’s Calypso monarch, “Madzart”, who has won in every area of Vincymas competition except King of the Bands.

Adams also gave special recognition to the Starlift Steel Orchestra, which has won more than 25 Panorama titles between their junior and senior bands.

Shertz “Problem Child” James, also was acknowledged for winning the road march after a long time, as he continues to represent SVG internationally. Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle, was acknowledged for bringing home four accolades from this year’s Caribbean Music Awards held on August 29, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York.

“These are people who are taking our culture internationally,” Adams pointed out.

Costume builders and mas players were also acknowledged, with High Voltage commended for their consistent use of colour; Semone Richardson for having the most wins as Queen of the Band; and Blondie Bird and Friends for their dominance in Band of the Year competition, as well as King and Queen of the Bands.

“They continue to keep the mas culture alive, so again, congratulations.”

Adams said the marketing of Vincymas 2025 has already begun.