TTT Live Online Vendors, Steelpan Players Highlight Challenges During Carnival Consultations

As the Ministry of Culture and Community Development’s Blueprint of Carnival consultations wound down on Wednesday with a final session hosted at the VIP Lounge at the Queen’s Park Savannah, several attendees presented recommendations for the improvement of the overall Carnival product.

The event marked the culmination of a series of public engagements focused on boosting business opportunities for vendors, bands, and patrons while enhancing the overall presentation of Carnival.

Member of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Marsha Wright, voiced concerns over booth arrangements at the John Cupid Carnival Village.

She cited complaints from vendors located near the entrance, who reported little to no foot traffic, while those positioned closer to the stage experienced significantly larger crowds.

“So I would recommend that the village be laid out maybe like in a horseshoe or a ‘U’ so that everybody would be able to see what is happening, we’d be able to enjoy the benefits of the entertainment, and that all the patrons coming in would be able to walk around properly and see and enjoy all the different booths.”

Transportation Planner and Engineer Katherine Agong recommended that the Ministry provide transport for individuals outside the area who wish to participate in the events but are unable to secure transportation. She noted that this initiative would help boost business opportunities for vendors in the area.

“I want to suggest that we look at ways for event managers and technocrats within the Ministry of Culture to come up with a Trinidad Carnival Strategic Transport Plan that will not only deal with Flava Village and John Cupid Carnival Village but will deal with other major events like stick fighting with respect to how people access it by public transport.”

Another attendee, George Martin, voiced concerns about steel pan players, stating that they remain among the most underpaid groups during the Carnival season.

“Many people come away at the end of the season with a fair amount of profit from their ventures. The vendors, the truck drivers and most others, they come away with some money in their pockets but you know who ends the season with an empty pocket? Mr. Panman.”

To mitigate the issue, Mr. Martin recommended that the Ministry introduce single-pan competitions, allowing individual players to face off against each other for the chance to win cash prizes.

Panellist and Acting Director at the Ministry, Damian Richardson, stated that after reviewing public concerns and recommendations from the Carnival consultations, the Ministry will return in one month with a summary of findings, followed by a final discussion to decide the next steps.

Wednesday marked the final day of Carnival consultations across the nation, with sessions expected to continue in Tobago in the coming days.

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