Successful festival

NCF satisfied with Crop Over despite last lap hiccups

By Shamar Blunt

Despite delays, hiccups and logistical challenges on the final day of the Crop Over Festival, some of which she insisted were unavoidable and out of the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) control, the organisation’s chief executive officer is reporting a successful 2023 season.

Amid widespread criticism about hours of delays in the procession of bands from Warrens to the Mighty Grynner Highway on Kadooment Day, Carol Roberts-Reifer insisted the problems should not overshadow the achievement of hosting the festival in a post-COVID era.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY on Tuesday after the culmination of this year’s festival which saw a return to the old Grand Kadooment route, she said some of the hold-ups that resulted in some bands waiting for more than four hours to move off from Warrens could not be avoided.

“I thought that there were hiccups for a number of reasons, some avoidable, some unavoidable – the major unavoidable one being the very sharp downpour of rain just as we were about to start. [We] couldn’t considerably ask bands to move off in that rain. And then we had one of the trucks [accompanying a band] breaking down while they were on route. Based on the location, it made it a bit difficult for the other bands to manoeuvre past them,” she explained.

“There were some bands that were not ready for a number of reasons… so it was just a confluence of circumstances that contributed to the snafus along the route yesterday.”

Despite these shortcomings, the NCF CEO was adamant that Kadooment Day was undeniably successful.

“My reports indicate – and from what I observed from driving the entire route – that there are several successes. I was delighted to see the number of people that came out, probably one of the largest crowds in recent times to watch the bands. I am delighted to see the amount of posts on social media of revellers and patrons alike declaring what a good time they had. I was delighted to be on the road with almost all of the major artists with hit songs for the season, and watching them perform for and interact with the patrons on the road with little or no mishaps.

“There was just joy in the streets, and people just jumping and dancing and making merry and having a good time, which is at the root of the story of Crop Over,” she said.

Roberts-Reifer added that although there were other challenges throughout the season, Barbadians should be proud the country was able to host a successful carnival.

“For the next 24 to 36 hours, there will be comments about the snafus on the road [on Monday]. I’ve also seen a few concerns and critiques about the [Pic-O-De-Crop] finals at Botanical Gardens, but let us put it in perspective.

“We’ve also had three very successful visual arts exhibitions; we have had major private events that came off without a hitch and attracted tens of thousands of people – Soca on The Hill, Tipsy, and a number of others. We have had all-inclusive events like Mimosa and Scorch that came off extremely well; we had developmental programmes in Junior Kadooment and the Junior Calypso Monarch that showed clearly that the authenticity of our culture is generally alive and well among this demographic.

“There is no doubt that we have pulled off a very successful post-COVID Crop Over. There is no doubt that there is work needed to be done and some aspects of the coordination need to be picked apart and put together again for the better, but there is also no doubt that together as a country we pulled it off,” the NCF chief asserted.

Among the bandleaders who expressed concerns about the logistical issues on Monday was bandleader for Vida by Esquire (VXE), Ryan Forde, who said discussions among stakeholders could lead to solutions.

“Obviously, there are some things we think can be changed; the route, yes, is the traditional route and it’s very enjoyable for certain experiences. However, that route is always going to be a logistical challenge because there are obviously thousands of people on the side, there are stalls, there are bands, there is everybody, so it’s a very hard route to police and navigate with the vehicles,” he said.

“It’s a challenge that I think we need to look at and figure out what is the best solution. However, for the most part, I think people were happy to have Crop Over again and also to enjoy different vibes with different bands and the lovely designs and the foods and beverages. It was just a very great experience, I should say.”

Jason Simmons, leader of Khepri Kulture, said he had no problems with returning to the old route this year, but longstanding logistical issues need to be addressed.

“Between the old route and the new route, both of them are good, both of them had their pros and cons. I myself enjoyed the old route…. The only problem I had with the old route is the organisation with the NCF, the marshals, and the police. I find that they do not communicate, and it was all over the place,” he told Barbados TODAY.

“Bands leaving Warrens after 12 or 1 o’clock was unacceptable. Khepri Kulture was down Warrens from 8 o’clock…. Other bands were not ready and they would not allow us to go ahead. Once that is sorted out, I think it would be a smooth Crop Over.”

Veteran bandleader Betty West said that despite the challenges, it was one of the best Kadooment Day experiences in her more than three-decade-long involvement in the festival.

“I would say in the 32 years, it was very challenging. I was worried, I shed a few tears, but [Monday] I felt so overwhelmed when I saw the band; everything went excellent for me. The music was excellent, the DJs were very good, and all in all, the revellers – first time I’ve had so [many] overseas people – they thoroughly enjoyed themselves,” she said.

“In everything, you have little hitches. We had to have a little wait . . . but all in all, my security and everything was safe. I really think yesterday was one of the best in 32 years for me.”

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