CDC presents Vincy Mas winners with prizes

The many winners in the various components were once again in the spotlight last weekend, when prizes won during the 2009 carnival season were distributed at a special ceremony took place at the Methodist Church Hall on Saturday, August 8.{{more}}

Winners ranging from junior to senior mas, pan and calypso, beauty shows, soca and ragga soca competitions were presented with prize money and trophies as their reward for good performances in the country’s largest cultural festival, which ran from June 26th to July 7th this year.

While many of the winners were on hand to receive their winnings, others were absent either because of other engagements or because they were out of state.

The 2009 edition of Vincy Mas was considered by carnival and culture officials a huge success, despite the many setbacks and challenges faced this season.

Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) Dennis Ambrose, citing the current economic situation, swine flu and competition from other islands among the issues which posed a problem for persons wishing to visit the island for carnival this year, said that the festival was nevertheless one for the books.

The chairman said that Vincy Mas continues to be among the highest ranking carnivals and called on Vincentians to fully support the festival.

“I can boastfully say that our own claim to being the Hottest Carnival in the Caribbean is a fact. We have lived up to this over and over again.”

“Vincy Mas has made its mark on the world stage; and we are the best after Trinidad and Tobago.

“Some people seem focused on the pulling down of Vincy Mas while the other countries are building on theirs,” Ambrose added. “We as Vincentians should feel proud of our festival as Barbadians feel proud of Crop Over and Trinidadians feel proud of their carnival.”

Culture Minister René Baptiste joined with Ambrose to congratulate the various components and individuals who played their part in making the 2009 edition of Vincy Mas a success. She also called on the stakeholders to be a part of the evolution and change of the festival.

“We have to continue to experiment and develop because if we look around us we will see other people who are experimenting. We live in a world where culture is a very dynamic force, it continues to change.”

“The CDC is charged with organizing, managing and developing the carnival festival but we have to work in partnership with the business sector and sponsors and create new synergies.”

The ‘new synergy of pan meets soca in blazing Fire Fete’ was one such event which met with high praise from the minister, who called on more private promoters to partner with the CDC for events in the future.

The rural carnivals also came in for high praise from the minister as well as the junior pan players and others.

According to the minister and chairman, the 2010 carnival season will see more focus on the training and development of the various components, which the officials believe will make the festivities more competitive on the local regional and international stage. (JJ)