Message from the Chairman of CDC - Dennis Ambrose

We have come to the end of the VINCY MAS festivities for 2007 and what a tremendous season it has been  - culminating in an impressive finish.

 Mardi Gras was a spectacular and fabulous close to the 30th Anniversary of our June-July Carnival.

We were blessed with absolutely superb weather.  The bands were many and ever-so colourful.  They were greater numbers in most bands, all with very vibrant sections, and great soca music throughout the day.  Everyone had good fun – the masqueraders – local and foreign, as well as onlookers.   Many visitors were seen playing mas. Many Trinidadians in particular participated in several bands, integrating  their own sections, and having a wonderful time.

The revival of the Monday Street Party was evident, with a number of T-Shirt bands, and the participation of the revelers in T-shirts was a rewarding sight for the CDC as we have been trying to get this going for a couple of years.  The revelers just couldn’t get enough of this fun occasion.

As far as we know, there were no reported incidents of significant misconduct. So, the general public is to be commended in this respect.  We always ask for a peaceful carnival, and it is pleasing to have experienced that.

The CDC Shows were well executed, well attended, and the production and management showed great improvement.

Overall, the CDC is pleased at this years’ outcome.  And comments we received along the road yesterday and those from persons who called  were indeed complementary. 

A few remedial areas are noted, and of course, the CDC will review them and address them.

We certainly wish to thank ALL the sponsors – the longstanding ones and the new ones who have come on-board.

The Components of VINCY MAS have done a wonderful job this year – without a doubt.

The musicians, the sound (Dynamic Guys), the Lighting by DB Productions of Barbados, the very artistic Stage Backdrop done by our own ‘Sulle’ Caesar,  Rupert Alexis and the construction Crew, other staff of the CDC office, the Media for the wide coverage of the events,  the organizers of the Rural CDCs for their involvement, the Police Department, the security services, the bar operators, the Street Vendors, the workers of the Sanitation Department and the general public  - all are  thanked for their cooperation in making VINCY MAS 2007  a great success. 

To all the visitors, I think you had a wonderful time – Some demonstrated this very vividly as they crossed the stage yesterday and paraded along the streets of Kingstown.  Special thanks to the foreign-based Vincies who had their own Monday band  - which demonstrated a good sense of patriotism and sincerity to VINCY MAS.

And last but not least – I wish to thank the members of the CDC and all the subcommittees for the long, hard, and dedicated work they have done this year.  And as well to the National Lottery for their ongoing commitment, and the Government for the undaunting support.

It was truly the Power of Culture, the Spirit of Fun – for 30 years in the July Sun.