Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
King of the Band Trevor Chase carrying the Ooutraje Festival Band's 'De Crown Jewel' to the title at Barbados annual Crop Over Festival 2008, held August 1 to 4.
Winston Sill, Gleaner Writer
Barbados' 2008 Crop Over Festival climaxed on Monday, August 4, with a sizzling (in more ways than one) Kadooment Day Road Parade.
This was after two excellent shows, the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals and the Red Hot Cohobblopot, both held at the events' new venue, the ultra-modern Kensington Oval. The turnout at the various events and at Bridgetown market on the Spring Garden Highway, plus the crowd which jammed the streets for the road parade, would suggest a financial success. The Barbados Tourism Authority's (BTA) 'Follow me to Crop Over' campaign paid off, as there was a large number of visitors from the Caribbean present.
Numbers increased
However, new Barbadian Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy would like to see the numbers increased significantly, and will be placing more emphasis on the Caribbean to boost the numbers. Speaking at a BTA press conference for local and international media, held at the Hilton Barbados hotel on Saturday, August 2, Sealy said "We have tended to focus on the territories up north, but recognising that CARICOM is currently our third largest market we need to do more to get some business from this region." A revamped BTA will be provided with better human and financial resources, the minister predicting a new lease on life for the BTA's current campaign.
Sealy said there are plans for the tourism industry which he could not give details of at the time, but he mentioned an increase in hotel rooms. Minister Sealy asked the visiting media personnel to continue spreading good words about Barbados' unique festival and its range of products, which he said was "unmatched by any other island destination in the world".
Press conference
Speaking at the same press conference, BTA president Stuart Layne pointed out the substantial contribution the Crop Over Festival makes to the development of Barbados' tourism sector and economy, noting that it is the most economically lucrative period of the industry. Pointing to the need to increase the number of people visiting Barbados during Crop Over, Layne noted the immense value gained from the presence of the overseas media houses.
"Through your reporting people across major target markets and beyond will have greater understanding of our national festival, cultural experience and, most important, an enticing preview of our tourism product," he said.
To make the point that Crop Over is a festival and not a carnival, the BTA treated journalists to other aspects of the event.
There was an aerial trek in which the individual is suspended from a harness high above the trees; a visit to the Fisherpond Great House; an art exhibition; a tour of Arlington House (an 18th century coral stone house) and even a catamaran cruise.The Cable and Wireless/ FirstCaribbean International Bank Pic-O-De-Crop Finals saw 10 contestants (nine men and a female) vying for top honours. It was a good show with some serious social commentary.
After a powerful first half by most of the contestants, Red Plastic Bag singing De Government Change, Adrian Clarke doing I Am A Bajan, Classic with Ah Wasn't Dey, De Announcer performing De Biggest Loser and Blood with If And When, it was anybody's guess with the edge going to Clarke and Red Plastic Bag, the 2007 winner.
Second half
The second half did not seem as powerful, but was still well-received by the fans. Red Plastic Bag's performance faltered, leaving Clarke with the advantage. He sealed the issue with another fine performance, singing Put That In Yuh Song to walk away with top prizes, a fully loaded Toyota Corolla and EC$10,500. For his efforts, Red Plastic Bag got EC$15,000 for second, while Classic finished third and got EC$11,000.
It was an elated Clarke who, after accepting his trophy from Prime Minister David Thompson, said "I feel good. I don't know if I can find words to explain it right now. It's something I wanted for a while." It was Clarke's second Pic-O-De-Crop crown, the first coming seven years ago.
The Kings and Queens of the Crop Over Bands was held on the same stage as the Pic-O-De-Crop for the first time. Seven persons vied to be Queen title and four to be King, all with well-constructed, colourful and freely moving designs. In the end, it was Refugees Band's 'Madame Butterfly' with Katrina Gremmel as Queen of the Bands. Second was Sophia Chase, modelling 'Jade of Fame', while Pat Carter, modelling 'Black Gold', was third.
De Crown Jewel
Ooutraje Festival Band's 'De Crown Jewel' with Trevor Chase emerged King over 'Dawn Of A New Day' with Benny Rowe and 'River Of Tears' with Reggie Cave.
The Red Hot Cohobblopot show lived up to expectations of a high-energy concert with good performances from the top acts. Hometown boy Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah were in fine form, rocking the jam-packed Kensington Oval for an hour and having the crowd standing, rocking and dancing to every song.
Then it was time for Machel Montano. The Trinidadian soca star was his usual self, full of energy as he sang and danced up a storm, much to the delight of the fans. His segment also featured Lil John, Patrice Roberts, Pitbull and David Rudder. Other performers at Cohobblopot included Adrian Clarke, TC, Red Plastic Bag, Kimberly, Khiomal (Party Monarch 2008), Gabby, Kidsite, Peter Ram and Rupee.
The Grand Kadooment Day Parade saw 28 costumed bands, both large and small, some with 10,000 revellers participating. Under sizzling summer sun, the revellers put on a great show inside the National Stadium before dancing and wining their way through the streets on the way to the Spring Garden Highway to end another year of Crop Over.
