tidings
Laurel V Williams
After a four-year absence, the eagerly awaited Calypso Fiesta will return on February 11 to its longtime home – Skinner Park in San Fernando.
Calypso Fiesta, the semi-final round of the National Calypso Monarch competition, is set to be the first cultural event at the renovated facility.
On Thursday, senior project manager at the Urban Development Corporation of TT (Udecott) Terrence Beepath told Newsday that the finishing touches were being made to the multi-purpose facility.
He said that the opening ceremony is scheduled for February 4.
“Invitations will be sent for the opening soon. The Prime Minister is expected to attend. An invitational football match between Presentation College and St. Benedict’s College will take place at the opening,” Beepath said.
“The field is north-south as it should be, instead of east-west. Now we have a better cycle track.”
In 2019, the park was closed for renovation.
The Skinner Park redevelopment project was executed in two phases. The first phase involved the demolition, design and construction of the 6,000 capacity stands and the renovation of the pitch and cycling track.
The Udecott website says the second phase includes the design of underground parking and the redevelopment of the basketball courts and tennis courts.
The Calypso Fiesta is considered an annual limelight, where patrons gather to hear the best calypso of the year and show their support or displeasure. A total of 40 contestants compete for a place in the final, with their songs ranging from political and social commentary to nation-building and humorous.
The last Calypso Fiesta at Skinner Park was held in 2019. Ronaldo London won the crown at Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.
The following year, due to renovations, the Calypso Fiesta made its debut at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.
Terri Lyons won the title in 2020, becoming the fifth woman to do so.
Due to Covid19, there were no races in 2021 and 2022.
But in 2022, there was a scaled-down replacement event – A Clash of Tents: Showdown at De Taste of Carnival! — held at the Naparima Bowl in San Fernando.
This event was presented by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organization (TUCO) and the National Carnival Committee.
TUCO South Zone chairman Steve “Ras Kommanda” Pascall said the Skinner Park handover ceremony should have been done by now.
“The land that is under the control of the San Fernando City Corporation belongs to the people of San Fernando. They are taking a long time to hand over the land. This is how we see it. It was promised to be handed over on Tuesday. (January 17), Pascal said.
“I always felt it wasn’t going to happen on that date. We’re watching to see how it plays out. We’re hoping to make it in time to stage our show (Calypso Fiesta) set for February 11.”
He added that the registration deadline for the National Calypso Monarch competition was set to end at noon on Thursday (January 19) but has been extended to Sunday in Port of Spain and San Fernando.
He said some members have funding problems related to their dues and registration fees.
“A lot of people are signing up. We’re getting a good number of unaffiliated people (calypsonians who aren’t affiliated with tents). Cro Cro (Winston Rawlins) came to sign up today. Usually, he comes on the last day of registration,” Pascall said. .
