00:00 [Music]
00:14 [Music]
00:22 Nadia Batson was among artists performing for around 3,000 patrons
00:27 who attended Queen's Royal College, FET Royal, this year.
00:31 [Music]
00:43 Her smash hit "Mark It" was a high note ending for party goers
00:46 who saw her perform for close to an hour.
00:49 It feels even better to me than last year because I was actually able to be here this year with my full band.
00:54 Because last year I was just able to give a little 15 minutes performance
00:57 and this is always such an energetic crowd and they're so loving and you know.
01:01 So I just felt that energy and it was a great show.
01:05 "Mark It" in particular was created as a boost of confidence for women and a message of self-love.
01:12 And for me it's a lot of self-discovery too, you know.
01:15 You look at yourself in the mirror and you're like, "Hello."
01:20 You see your old blinking "Mark It." It's not a snack, it's a whole meal, you know what I mean?
01:26 And hype up yourself and just know that you're looking good.
01:29 Talking about food, but literally now, there were many options to choose from
01:34 including a gourmet pasta station with chicken and shrimp alfredo from Save the Date.
01:39 What is the human traffic like so far for the night in terms of people coming to visit this particular booth?
01:45 Well, actually it's going very quite well for the night.
01:47 People are having a time, people come back, say they make a little love and that's a good thing.
01:51 Some more savory but familiar street foods like Acra and Pellori
01:55 and even what Lindsay Bautiste told us was Chinese pork.
01:59 Interesting, what does it taste like?
02:04 Heavenly!
02:07 Fat Royal is a second time experience for Renee John Williams.
02:11 And tell me, what do you have on your plate right now?
02:14 Right now I'm enjoying some roast pork. This is actually my first meal for the night.
02:18 It's my first trip to the food court so I'm starting with the roast pork.
02:22 So what do you think about the taste of it?
02:27 Very savory, the meat is tender so I can't complain.
02:33 So we are at this particular booth right now and behind me you have some stew there.
02:39 But I'm going to do something a little bit different tonight.
02:42 I'm going to allow my cameraman Brandon Benoit to come and taste it
02:47 and I'm going to get behind the lens this time.
02:50 Brandon, I dare you. Come on.
02:54 So Alicia, I'm going to try this deer here, okay?
03:04 I'm going to put down the mic for a little bit.
03:10 And for the final verdict?
03:13 It's the best. Nice and succulent, baby. Nice and succulent. Oh my goodness.
03:19 Don't worry. For people who preferred something that was not animal-based,
03:24 vegan bowls were among the options.
03:27 Broccoli, cauliflower, quinoa and pickled onion with beetroot.
03:33 And for people with a sweet tooth, macaroons, donuts and cupcakes
03:37 were part of many dessert offerings on the night as well.
03:41 Carl John rates the FET second to none.
03:49 He has been patronizing the event for the past decade
03:52 as two of his sons attended QRC.
03:55 Went from Form 1 all the way to Form 6.
03:58 And do you see it as giving back in some way?
04:02 That is why I attend the FET all the time.
04:04 Because I feel that my sons came to the FET and because they came to the--
04:09 To the school.
04:10 Yeah, I feel it's something I should give back to the school every year.
04:13 Tameka Castillo from our sister station, I95.5 FM, came out to make a statement.
04:19 Look at this amazing ensemble. Look at this ensemble.
04:26 Fashion at its highest. Now Tameka, tell me about this look tonight.
04:30 This is me. Extra. Once they put extra on me, you understand what I get.
04:36 Now, how did you come up with this? Did you have it--
04:39 No, no. This is always me. This is Prindella's fashion.
04:43 I always go beyond and beyond.
04:45 Another feature was a John Frieda booth by Massey Distribution
04:49 aiding women in FETing frizz-free.
04:52 Michelle Gopichand said it was added to the FET in 2023.
04:57 You know they're out there and their hair tends to get frizzy
05:00 so they want the tangle not frizzy.
05:03 So they want it to touch up and straighten out.
05:05 So they just want no frizz.
05:07 Yes, us ladies, we definitely do need that frizz control.
05:11 The men were not left out either.
05:13 They were able to get fit for party through haircuts from Celebrity Cuts.
05:18 We caught up with Greg Manette while his dad was in the barbering chair.
05:23 Good night, Greg. I am told that this is your first FET ever.
05:28 Indeed it is. It was a lovely FET. Great production from the QRC.
05:32 FET team is a great experience. The food was amazing.
05:37 The performances were amazing. All the desserts, everything was amazing.
05:41 So top notch. Top notch.
05:44 Carlette Perrera rated the entertainment as her highlight for the night.
05:49 A lot of vibes, you know.
05:52 Who is your favorite artist for the night?
05:55 Nadia is my favorite. I love Cass but Nadia is my favorite.
05:59 Any particular song from Nadia?
06:01 Market.
06:03 When Cass took the stage, the crowd responded well.
06:06 And then he brought on Iwa George.
06:09 [singing]
06:22 George said he has sung songs that are cemented in the nation's history.
06:27 But he told us 2025 would be a very different year.
06:31 [singing]
06:35 Iowa is in retirement. I'm moving on. I'm not leaving the entertainment business.
06:40 I'm moving from Iwa George the singer to Iwa the DJ.
06:45 So next year, 2025 Carnival, all you have to know is DJ Iwa.
06:51 Chairman of QRC's organizing committee Dion Granderson was happy about how the FET turned out.
06:57 He told us a lot of research and work went into it after 2023 when food ran out.
07:03 Food prices this year went up slightly to $1,200 from $1,000.
07:08 Granderson admits it was a balancing act in light of high inflation.
07:13 For example, our decor suffered.
07:15 In order to keep the price at $1,200, we spent more on entertainment,
07:21 we spent more on food offerings, we spent more on beverages.
07:25 So we tried to counterbalance that by compromising the decor.
07:30 Thankfully the patrons didn't mind too much because they got more.
07:33 [singing]
07:35 And well, we have brought you all of the vibes here at QRC's FET Royal.
07:41 This is a wrap. I'm Melissa Boucher with tonight's Carnival Pulse.
07:46 [singing]
07:54 [music]
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