COREY CONNELLY and NARISSA FRASER
STAKEHOLDERS have described the Tobago October carnival as a resounding success.
The third edition of the event took place from October 25-27, culminating with the Parade of the Bands through the streets of Scarborough.
Tourism Secretary Tashia Burris hailed the carnival as “phenomenal.”
Several events were held throughout the week for the island's third carnival, including junior calypso monarch, Soca Titans, Rhythm, Steel and Powder, Monarchs of Mas, Army Fete, among others.
J’Ouvert celebrations were held on Saturday and parade of the bands, Sunday.
Speaking to Newsday just as traditional mas kicked off in Scarborough on Sunday morning, Burris said the festivities have been “phenomenal.”
Decked in a sailor costume, she said J’Ouvert celebrations ran smoothly the day prior.
“The amount (sic) (number) of Trinidadians, foreign-based Tobagonians and international visitors that I saw, as well as the huge support of the Tobago community, I think that in our third year, we have finally created something that is all-encompassing, all-embracing.”
She was also pleased there were no “untoward incidents.
[caption id="attachment_1117437" align="alignnone" width="576"] Masqueraders have fun while crossing the stage at Market Square car park in Scarborough, Tobago on October 27 afternoon during the parade of the bands. - Photo by Narissa Fraser[/caption]
“We had thousands of people who came to the capital city and enjoyed themselves safely, and I'm really happy about that.”
She praised the protective services for their consistency in ensuring everyone’s safety.
At the time of the interview, masqueraders were gathering at the Shaw Park Complex for pretty mas.
Burris said, “I know they are assembling right now and I know that we will have a huge participation again this year.
“I think it will be greater than last year, and we're looking forward to the spectacle that we'll be putting on for our viewers today.”
In a brief interview with Newsday on October 28, Dexter Sandy, interim president of the Tobago October Carnival Association (TOCA), said, “I can only say that the carnival was great. Everybody hailed it a success. The bands really enjoyed it.”
Sandy claimed the parade flowed seamlessly.
“Everything went well.”
He said about 30,000 people were on the island to participate in the festivities.
“The information that we have, that was sent out to us, was that participation would have been at that level from as early as last week Wednesday where we had the Soca Titans competition and then it had the Tobago calypso show. All the visitors that came up over those days, that is the level of the visitors and locals that would have participated in the carnival.”
Sandy said TOCA’s members were very pleased with the carnival.
[caption id="attachment_1117508" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Revellers from Emerge mas band enjoy night mas in Scarborough, Tobago on October 26. - Photo courtesy Visual Styles[/caption]
The Tobago Business Chamber has als
