It is less than four weeks into the New Year, but the 2008 Community lighting up champions New Grounds have already received challenges for the 2009 Christmas season.{{more}}

At last Saturday’s awards ceremony, where winners and contributors to the 2008 Nine Mornings and Christmas Festival were thanked and awarded, a number of runners up in not only the community lighting up competition but in other various zones issued challenges, vowing to do better the next time around.

At the ceremony which took place at the Cruise ship terminal in Kingstown, two time winners New Grounds were praised for winning the competition for a third time, after beating Sion Hill Intersection into second place with 2007 winners Rose Bank placing third.

Also awarded were Olivia Da Silva of Cane End for the Best Lit Private Home, Cane Hall roundabout for Best Lit Garden and Layou for Best Nine Mornings Community.

Roland ‘Rolly’ Bowman’s song Bowmarang was awarded for being the most popular local Christmas song on the airwaves last year.

Organizers of the National Nine Mornings Festival also recognized the contributions made by institutions, organizations and individuals who made the Festival a resounding success.

The awards ceremony heard remarks by a representative from major sponsors: St. Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC) and the National Lotteries Authority, as well as Minister of Culture René Baptiste.

The speakers had high praise for not only the organizing committee, but also for the communities, groups and individuals who participated in the Festival, making it one of the biggest and best to date.

They reaffirmed their commitments to the Festival and hoped to see the event grow from strength to strength. (JJ)