Vincy Mas 2014 launched

Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture Cecil McKie played a dual role at the launch of Vincy Mas 2014.{{more}}

During the launch, Mckie, in his capacity as minister, welcomed persons at the Solidarity Inc Car Park to the opening of this country’s carnival season, which comes to an end on July 8.

McKie pointed out that carnival is undoubtedly the largest cultural event on the local calendar that brings tens of thousands of visitors to these shores on a yearly basis.

He encouraged the public to guarantee that visitors get the most of the carnival experience.

“We have to continue to ensure that we offer these visitors the chance to see everything cultural that St Vincent and the Grenadines has to offer.

“We have to ensure that we expose them to all of the various talents that we have here across the three components here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We have to ensure that we also entertain them in other aspects of our culture.

“We have to expose them to the cuisine of St Vincent and the Grenadines and we have to show them in no unmistakable terms that we have here “the Hottest Carnival in the Caribbean.”

The Minister said that the symbolic launch of the festivities is important to give locals and visitors alike a sample of what is in store over the next two months, as well as to give the components of carnival (pan, kaiso/soca, mas) a chance to test the readiness for the upcoming events.

Casting his ministerial hat aside, McKie donned a ship captain’s headpiece, as he returned later to introduce his J’Ouvert band J’Ouvert Fanatics, who were part of the evening’s entertainment.

The long time J’Ouvert masquerader narrated the different pieces paraded on stage by his counterparts, then took to the stage himself to display his costume.

The j’ouvert presentation was one part of the entertainment for the night, which also saw the appearance of the 2014 Miss SVG contestants who were introduced to the public for the first time.

The new song competition also took place on the night, and saw Vivian “I Come” Miller (calypso), Tamisha Nicholls (ragga soca), and Orlando “Syxx” Foster (soca), taking home the first crowns of the season.

Various pan sides, as well as soca and ragga soca artistes also entertained the crowd that showed up for the launch.

Visibly absent was the mas component, which failed to appear.

Chairman of the CDC Dennis Ambrose, who also addressed the audience earlier in the evening, said the launch is a tool used for getting the message of carnival to the masses.

“This has most definitely become a tradition, and the launching of Vincy Mas will resound in ways that it has done today,” Ambrose said.

The launch began in earnest earlier in the day, with a day launch at Heritage Square, with two music trucks simultaneously making their way from the Leeward and Windward ends of the island, and merging at the Solidarity Inc Car Park.

Over the next three weeks the rural carnivals and calypso tents will spring into action, with the Miss SVG Pageant slated to take place on May 31.

The calendar of events will continue through to July 8.