POINT FORTIN CARNIVAL 2020: WHAT???

Carnival 2020 is mere months away and a big guess will be, what plans are in place for the hosting of a successful Carnival in Point Fortin next February?
For successive years, the complaints have been very vocal regarding the lack of interest in carnival activities by residents of the most southern borough, however, the same apparent template is used year after year by those in authority.  There is a general view that not much is being done to regain lost interest in Carnival and that “Borough Day” is given most of the attention.

In recent years, Point Fortin Jouvert celebrations have regained some popularity but not in comparison to celebrations in neighboring Cedros or what was known to be happening in Point Fortin in earlier years.  The Point Fortin Business Community have been criticized for lack of support while the organizing committees are blasted for their lack of creativity and commitment in promoting the festival.

There seem to be a division and variance of ideas between the National Carnival Commission’s (NCC) appointed Point Fortin Carnival Committee, chaired by Sherwin St Hillaire, and the Cultural Committee selected by the Point Fortin Borough Council, headed by Councilor Reynold Carrington.  Though some level of collaboration exists between both bodies, their collaborative outcome showed no significant improvement in participation over the past years.  Given the political dynamics relative to Local Government Elections due to be held later this year, a new Mayor is expected to be sworn into office and committees possibly reassigned. However, the composition of the NCC appointed committee is not controlled by the Borough Council and members are selected through internal election.

Subvention allocated by the NCC is managed by their appointed committees and most times are received well into the carnival season.  This may negatively impact payment for hired performances early in the carnival season, such as the Launch or Pre-Carnival promotional events.  However, there are concerns regarding the allocation of funding for events hosted within the Carnival Events Calendar. The annual Calypso Competition is one such event which is allocated a significant quota of the budget. A live band is hired for the final and there is also rehearsal time. It is estimated that approximately Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60K) or more is spent on this single event.  Contestants participating in the event are not all from Point Fortin and comprises other non-residents considered as “competition hustlers” who participate wherever competition are held throughout the country.  It is believed this does nothing to assist the development of calypso within the community, especially in schools which can be targeted for nurturing the art-form.

What seems evident is, no planning in done prior to when the Carnival Season comes each year.  There is no public knowledge of developmental activities such as annual workshops in every Primary and Secondary school within the Borough/District, which would help bring awareness or interest for our carnival culture.  An apparent impression can be interpreted as those involved at the organizing level, partake as tokenism and is not fully energized in truly making the celebration a success.

Proper consultation is necessary, also a shift in focus.  Targeting schools not only engages students in the mix, but also parents, family, neighbors, friends and fellow school mates.  Even more, it provides grooming for the future. (*Hint Hint, Kiddies Carnival*) However, it must be timely, not going to schools in the months of January and February of each year asking for participants.

If the same celebration template is repeated year after year and we are not experiencing the improvements we wish for, obviously it’s time to change what are doing. 
Inviting new ideas can be a great new beginning.