Miss SVG date pushed back – CDC

Patrons of the Miss St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) show now have additional time to prepare for the pageant, since it will be staged one week later than usual.

The pageant, which, in previous years, was staged in the last week of May, will now be held on June 4.{{more}}

This disclosure was made by chair of the Carnival Development Committee (CDC) Dennis Ambrose on Tuesday, at the official launch of the poster and view cards for Vincy Mas 2016.

“We believe that this new date is a much better one. It gives the local patrons an enhanced opportunity to participate by bringing the show more in line with the salary schedules and therefore makes for greater public involvement,” Ambrose said.

The CDC chair said that this year, the official CDC calendar includes private events such as ‘H2O Soca’ and ‘Slippery When Wet’, following a decision made during a symposium three years ago.

He explained that the policy now is to include private events on the official CDC calendar, once that event has been hosted for more than five years.

“This is because we remain committed to marketing Vincy Mas as a full carnival experience and we will therefore embrace the private promoters who bring an event which contributed to the spirit of our national festival.”

Additionally, in commemoration of the 25th staging of the Junior Panorama, the CDC has published a special view card designed by Olivia Stevens of the Potential Steel Orchestra, while the other view cards were designed by Sean Young.

The official Vincy Mas poster was designed by Vincentian artist Calvert Jones.

Also speaking at the launch, chair of the beauty shows committee Cheryl Rodriguez stated that this year’s show promises to be a ‘big celebration,’ since this is the 66th year the queen show is being held in St Vincent and the Grena-dines.

This year’s pageant will be held under the theme “A Combination of Passion and Brilliance.”

The winner of the Miss SVG pageant will walk away with a scholarship and the opportunity to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines in the Miss Carival contest.

This year’s contestants are: Shanique Alexander – Fountain; Anya Fredrick – Queens Drive; Vakeesha John – Layou; Zenna Lewis – Barroullie; Ranesha Loraine – Georgetown; Dahvana Providence – Old Montrose; Jeanetta Richards – Golden Vale; and Nikianna Williams – Lowmans Leeward.

Rodriguez stated that the beauty shows committee is in the process of finalizing the show, and the contestants have been taking part in regular training sessions.

CEO of CDC Ashford Wood said the launch of Vincy Mas will once again see the parade of the floats, which was introduced last year.

At the launch, which is scheduled to take place on May 7, activities will culminate at Heritage Square, following the usual whistle stops on the Leeward and Windward sides of the island.

Also at the launch, there will be the staging of the Best New Song competition and the first public appearance of the Miss SVG contestants.

Wood also stated that this year, the calypso semi-finals will not be a drinks inclusive event.

“This year we are cutting it out. We are not having it we have listened to the patrons and many of them felt … because of the fact that we had to up the price a bit, it was keeping some of the calypso fans away.”

He disclosed that LIME will be partnering with the CDC this year to make the calypso semi-finals more attractive to bring out not only the calypso fans, but the youth.

“We are putting together a package that will bring out not only the calypso lovers, but the young folks as well to be a part of the opening…of carnival,” Wood stated.

Representative from LIME Mikayla Williams and Anthony Dennie from the National Lotteries Authority also made remarks at Tuesday’s launch. (CM)