Prizes worth over $600,000 were distributed last Thursday at the prize giving ceremony of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC).{{more}}

The winners of the various categories of the festival were presented with their trophies and prize money at a ceremony held at the Murray Heights Hotel.

Recipients of prizes at last Thursday’s ceremony included Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle – Soca Monarch and Road March; Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams – Calypso Monarch; Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd – Ragga Soca Monarch; Semone Richardson – Queen of the Bands; Richardo Adams – King of the Bands; and SVG Players International Mas band – Band of the Year.

Lance Neverson collected the winning trophies and cash prize of EC$50,000 on behalf of SVG Players International Mas band for capturing the Band of the Year title.

Skinny Fabulous, Road March winner and Soca Monarch was awarded a Nissan Skyline car, along with a cash prize of $25,000, and the first prize trophies for his winnings.

Chesly Charles of Stickman Entertainment collected the winning trophies and the car key on behalf of Doyle, who was out of state at the time.

Shernellle “Skarpyon” Williams also received the key to his new Nissan Skyline car, along with a cash prize of EC $25,000 for winning this year’s national Calypso Monarch title.

Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation Dennis Ambrose said the CDC is extremely pleased with the outcome of Vincy Mas 2013.

He revealed that the corporation had set some new targets and were able to achieve them.

“So, this always helps to put us in the more positive light,” he said.

“This event today, brings down the curtain on Vincy Mas activities of 2013, and the occasion when all the winners get the rewards of their labour. Most of us know that 99.9 per cent of Vincy Mas is a labour of love. And we all keep doing it over and over again!!

“Maybe that’s what makes Vincy Mas so special – that it remains the Hottest Carnival in the Caribbean, because we heat it up with talent, dedication, skill, craft, passion and an enjoyment like no other,” the chairman added.

Ambrose also commended Carnival revellers for facing the challenges of the natural elements throughout this year’s festival.

“As I’ve said in the past, it is the personal satisfaction of the end product that makes a Carnival lover a true Carnival lover. This year, in particular, was testimony that with the challenge of the natural elements – we all saw that rain didn’t stop the Carnival. We just ‘Wheel And Come Again’.

“…This sort of thing serves to remind those of us who are watching closely enough, that Vincy mas is alive and well; Vincy Mas is hot; Vincy Mas is such a National Desire – that truly no rain can’t stop the Carnival!!

“However, we cannot take it for granted that we can stay as the hottest Carnival without the force and thrust to maintain our ranking amongst the other regional Carnivals,” Ambrose further stated.

Ambrose also thanked the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, its agencies and sponsors, for the direct and indirect financial support that was provided for Vincy Mas 2013.

One hundred and twenty three trophies were distributed during Thursday’s prize-giving ceremony. (AA)