B’dos the place to be during Crop Over 2016: Culture Minister

“Crop Over 2016 promises to be a huge event as the old hype has been rebuilt.” 

 

That’s according to Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, during a recent interview with The Barbados Advocate.

 

“Crop Over is happening as we are celebrating our jubilee, our 50th anniversary of Independence and we anticipate a huge Crop Over. We have done major promotions in Trinidad during the Trinidad Carnival 2016 and the old hype has been rebuilt,” he stated.

 

“Persons I have met are very anxious to come to Barbados for Crop Over this year. Also the feedback from our international artistes is great, so the place to be is Crop Over in Barbados 2016.”

 

The Culture Minister emphasised, “Crop Over 2016 will feature the involvement of international artistes. 

 

It is a combination of different areas. It is not only what the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) is producing, but also private promoters, an area many persons do not reflect on. I think private promoters do a host of various activities and the all-inclusive fetes which have taken off significantly, which create opportunities for local and international artistes.

 

“Based on what we have had in former Crop Overs, we will have that continuation. There is a market that is certainly taking hold in terms of the celebrity market as we continue to attract a number of celebrities from Hollywood.”

Lashley acknowledged that the Barbadian brands are helping to build the kind of capital that is needed to have in Crop Over, which is now an international brand. “Celebrities in Hollywood are seeing that and Rihanna and other celebrities out there show that during the month of July and August you have to be in Barbados for Crop Over as it creates an international pull to bring persons here for Crop Over, which is what we want.

 

“The big difference for Crop Over 2016 is, it is happening in our jubilee year. We are having a number of new events to celebrate that and create a vibe. Crop Over has grown to phenomenal proportions and is now an international brand. Every year we can expect to have that top quality of production,” he stated. 

 

One of the added highlights for this year is the return of the Kings and Queens of the bands. This will be held at Kensington Oval. Besides that there will be the normal Crop Over events, such as Pic-O-De-Crop and Grand Kadooment. 

 

Lashley stressed: “The major difference this year is the rebranding of everything in the image of the 50th anniversary.”