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  • 2 years ago


The 2023 Tobago October Carnival was a success, this from President of the Tobago October Carnival Association Dexter Sandy. Mr. Sandy during an interview with TV6 News debunked any notion of a newspaper headline labelled, 'Carnival Letdown'. More in this Elizabeth Williams report.

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Transcript
00:00 In one of today's dailies, I saw where the highlights, the headlines,
00:05 said Carnival let down.
00:07 And I want to refute that statement.
00:10 I don't think there was any let down in Scarborough.
00:13 Having been a band leader and the president of TOKA,
00:16 I would have been on the road for Juvé as well as for Parade of the Bands
00:21 and the all-around feedback for us as masqueraders.
00:25 We enjoyed it.
00:26 Everybody had a valuable experience through all the bands.
00:30 And I must say, a headline like that could really be misleading.
00:35 You know, for the international market that might be looking on this morning to think,
00:38 "Hey, can I come to Tobago in 2024?"
00:41 Seeing a headline like that could be misleading.
00:43 President of the Tobago October Carnival Association, Dexter Sandi, said
00:48 this year's staging of Carnival was a success with higher participation.
00:53 According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Tobago and the Carnival Gold Commander
00:58 for the October Carnival, Carlos Hazel,
01:01 approximately 10,000 revelers descended on Scarborough for Juvé last Saturday.
01:07 Tobago experienced a carnival like no other this year.
01:11 Definitely we saw the improvements this year from the lessons learned last year.
01:16 We saw higher participation from all the bands through Juvé.
01:21 We enjoyed having nightmasses here in Scarborough as well as parade of the bands on Sunday.
01:27 It was an all-around success so far, and those are the reports coming from the band leaders.
01:32 Mr. Sandi did apologize and admitted there were some gaps in the parade of the bands getting underway.
01:39 I know the Festival's Commission, the plan that was rolled out for Carnival
01:44 would have been the traditional bands on the Old Mill for the road between, I think it was 9 to 2 p.m.
01:51 and the contemporary bands, we were on the highway to make our way into Scarborough.
01:55 And it took us a little while, based on the temperature out there, we couldn't really rush the masqueraders.
02:01 But we made all efforts to have lunch and move as quickly as possible, so we came into Scarborough.
02:06 There would have been a time gap between the traditional mass that was on display
02:12 before we came on the scene in Lower Scarborough at about 5 p.m.
02:16 So as bands, we must apologize for that lull, but all in all, we must say that the parade route itself
02:23 really lent to a grander experience for the Tobago Masquerader and for the Carnival on our way.
02:30 Sandi expressed a willingness to work with the National Carnival Commission, NCC.
02:36 So far, TOCA as an organization, we have not had any formal communication with NCC or Mr. Peters.
02:43 But again, we are here, ready and willing to come to the table, have a conversation.
02:49 I know TOCA is ready to have a post-mortem conversation.
02:54 So plans are ready for 2024, and I know we can get it right.
02:58 And I'm pretty sure that with NCC's input, we will definitely be able to achieve that.
03:04 Meantime, there would be representation from the THC at the launch of Trinidad Carnival 2024 on Saturday.
03:11 This from Assistant Tourism Secretary Megan Morrison.
03:16 Ms. Morrison said, quote, I have not yet seen an invitation,
03:21 but I can say I have attended every launch of Trinidad Carnival since taking office.
03:26 And this one will be no different unless there is some unforeseen incident.
03:32 Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
03:34 (upbeat music)
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