Foreday Morning bands are on the decline. But it is not yet a worry for the National Cultural Foundation.
A total of 57 bands registered in 2016, but since then registration has dropped. This year 37 bands will hit the road on August 3, including 11 new ones. Last year there were 47.
Though National Cultural Foundation corporate communications specialist Simone Codrington could not give a definite reason as to why the numbers were declining, she said it may have something to do with similar events held around that time.
“We could speculate about the reasons because we are not really sure why there has been a reduction in number. There are other private Foreday Morning celebrations going on, so that could be one of the reasons, or some bands probably just decided not to return again.”
Most of the bands participating this year are small and medium sized.
Codrington was speaking exclusively to the Saturday Sun at the sidelines of the unveiling of a monument at the West Terrace Arch, West Terrace, St James.
Despite a drop in bands, she said the event continues to grow, adding that each year the number of spectators increases.
“It continues to be one of those events that people like to attend. Some people tend to like the night-time parties as opposed to the sunlight ones.”
Codrington added that Cavalcades were off the cards for Crop Over. When asked about the reason behind the decision she said: “The NCF decided not to host any Cavalcades this year.”
In 2016 Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Stephen Lashley told the NATION that the event was an expensive event to stage and urged the private sector to partner with his ministry to sponsor the Cavalcades. (SB)
