Coreen Maynard modelling 'Waters Of Paradise' costume at the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, Cohobblopot and the Grand Kadooment Parade of the Crop Over Festival 2005, held in Barbados from July 29 to August 1. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THE TREVOR Chase modelled 'King Shango' costume won the King of the Band title at the Crop Over festival in Barbados last week.
The outfit won from a field of five which included Kingsley Thorne's 'Spirit of the Nation', George Collymore's 'Signal', Harold Augustine's 'Rebirth of Paradise' which placed second and the third place winner Wayne Smith's 'Paradise Lost'. The winning costume was designed by Barbadian designer Renee Luke.
The Queen of the Band title went to 'Water of Paradise' modelled by Coreen Maynard. She won the title from a field of eight competitors which included the third place costume 'Bajan' 'Thanksgiving' (Betty West) and 'Queen Isabell' a modelled by Marylyn Rice Bowen and also designed by Renee Luke. Gwyneth Squires designed the winning costume.
This year's grand Kadooment Parade (the road parade) was a spectacular and colourful event with interesting themes. The revellers partied their way between the National Stadium and Spring Garden.
David 'Kid Site' Piggott walked away with the Cable and Wireless Pic-O-De-Crop final for the
second year running. 'Brian Bumba' Payne was second, while third place went to crowd's favourite Linette 'T.C.' Coward Thompson This year's Crop Over was quite a success as the specific events pulled in large crowds. At the press conference before the festival, it was announced that the economy was estimated to earn more than US$40 million from Crop Over.
The promotional efforts of the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) also apparently paid off as there was a large number of visitors to the island for the festival week.
STEEL BANDS
As the Crop Over festival continues to develop, the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has been working to improve the steel band component of the festival. There are about 11 small steel pan groups in Barbados, which is not considered strong enough for competition. These small steel bands are not considered competitive enough to bring it up to the standard of Trinidad's competition.
"But the NCF is working on it for the near future and to this end is seeking the assistance of Trinidad and Tobago to help to develop top-class steel bands," said Ian Estwick, Chief Executive Officer of the NCF.
- By Winston Sill
