The recently introduced route for Grand Kadooment has been deemed a success by Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts.
Roberts said Tuesday that preliminary feedback from revellers, spectators, vendors, and other stakeholders was largely positive.
“Based on reports received either firsthand or via third parties, the route generally worked well,” Roberts told Barbados TODAY. She added that she was still monitoring media for “legitimate and constructive comments” but emphasised that early reports indicate that the amended route was a success.
She said: “My assessment would come from two sources, one from actually walking the route and obviously leading the team that facilitated the event (Monday). From that perspective, I would say all things being considered, we were able to achieve the majority of the event planning goals that we had set.
“And then from the other perspective, [which] is that of the spectators, revellers and the bandleaders themselves. [These] reports were received either firsthand or via third parties. The report was that the route generally worked well; and that is that it seems to have really worked well.”
The new route saw masqueraders departing from the Bridgetown Helipad, proceeding along Princess Alice Highway and President Kennedy Drive via Prescod Boulevard. They then turned left at the Eagle Hall Junction traffic lights onto Black Rock Main Road, before making another left at the Frank Worrell Roundabout and culminating on the Mighty Grynner Highway. Bands concluded their celebration at Kensington Oval.
Roberts highlighted the violence-free jump-up as a significant achievement. “It was great to see people in the throes of revelry, but still generally doing what we call behaving themselves,” she remarked. “One of the key achievements would have been together as a nation the pulling off of Grand Kadooment that ended with no serious reports of violence.”
However, the day was not without its challenges. A two-hour delay to the start of proceedings drew criticism from some quarters. Roberts defended the decision, explaining that after consultation with bandleaders, the Barbados Meteorological Services, and other stakeholders, the group collectively decided to push back the start time from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. due to weather concerns.
Despite the extra preparation time, some bands were still not ready at the new start time. Roberts acknowledged this issue but noted, “It’s not easy putting a band on the road… it was not easy with the weather. And even though it did not rain in some parts, in other parts, there was lightning and there was rain so some of the leaders would have begun to take down their trucks and what not and then to turn around and get them back up.”
Evidently hoarse from a day of revelry, Jason Thompson, president of Barbados Association of Masqueraders, was resting and promised to provide a comment the following day.
Roberts also expressed satisfaction with the amount of Barbadian music played throughout the event, viewing it as another positive aspect of this year’s Grand Kadooment. (SZB)
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