From left: Former United States (US) Attorney General Eric Holder joined Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart; Governor General of Barbados (Ag) Sir Philip Greaves and Chief Justice, Sir Marston Gibson at Ilaro Court.
Red Plastic Bag was a crowd favourite during the Prime Minister’s Crop Over
reception at Ilaro Court.
Crop Over 2017 gets passing grade
The 2017 Crop Over Festival has received a passing grade from Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart.
He told locals and visitors gathered for the annual Crop Over Reception, held at Ilaro Court on Thursday night, that the island’s summer festival was a success.
Stuart recalled that the festivities which officially got underway on May 14th with a Thanksgiving Service, served party-goers a menu of very impressive events, such as the Mega Cavalcade, Junior Monarch Competition, Kiddies Kadooment, Soca Royale, Pic-o-de-Crop Finals and Grand Kadooment.
“All of which have been substantially and resoundingly patronised by Barbadians and visitors. The festival could not have been a success without the patronage and support of all of the patrons,” he expressed.
“And I think that in all of this we can pat ourselves on the shoulders because we conducted ourselves with impressive dignity and with sobriety and put up the best face of Barbados.”
“I want therefore to congratulate all of you for being the model citizens and visitors you have been, and to assure you that your contribution in whatever way it was made, was deeply appreciated by the Government of Barbados and will be remembered,” Stuart said.
The Crop Over Reception, now into its ninth year, is known as the climax of the celebrations. Hundreds of guests had the opportunity to once again hear live their favourite calypsonians from this year’s competitions.
Conceptualised under the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) administration, Stuart explained, “We felt that it would have been churlish and ungracious of us to allow the season to pass and not give persons visiting us from abroad an opportunity to have a last taste of our Crop Over offerings, but also to say thanks to all the artists, musicians, sponsors and service providers who help to make the Crop Over season a resounding success.”
The Prime Minister also lauded the efforts of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), the agency responsible for spearheading this festival, as well as the Ministry of Culture’s tremendous input into its success.