CATEGORY:CARNIVAL
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By Trevor Thwaites (Inside Grenada correspondent)

ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada – ‘The best and biggest ever’ has become one of the clichés to characterize this year’s carnival. “ We need to …work with a five –year plan for Carnival to achieve something special, starting from 2006… I am very satisfied, the celebrations will be fantastic,” remarked Manager of the Grenada Carnival Committee, Dexter Mitchell, as he spoke to the press recently during a press conference in the city. Mitchell said that after launching the event on May 6, the season has generated plenty of interest and excitement.

“It will be truly fantastic,” he told the media. He said they have been working closely with stakeholders to work out some of the setbacks, which marred the event in the past, which paves the way for a great season. “It will be definitely better than last year. The quality of music has improved tremendously, the participation is up and I am looking forward to Carnival Monday and Tuesday,” he said.

“The Carenage is going to be colorful; it’s going to be crowded because more bands are participating this year. Some of the mas’ leaders have made a commitment to move away from the feathers and beads and use more cloth and materials in their presentations. We are very satisfied about the build up and are excited about the outcome,” he said. The Carnival boss indicated that there would be at least nine bands taking in the Pageant and Parade of the bands this year – a vast improvement to four that competed last year.

Officials are also expecting the Panorama Championship to be much better than last year. Another eight bands competing, which doubles the number that participated in the 2005 event. People have also been speaking about the quality of the Calypsos this year, which they say are better than the last time around. “The Calypsos have been of a high quality.

You judge it from the public’s response. If you were at Victoria Park for the semi-finals you would have seen how people reacted,” Mitchell pointed out.
The songs were very positive.

It was a far cry from what we experienced last year and it gave one a good feeling that Calypso is certainly back,” the Carnival official disclosed.
He said that it was fascinating to see the Black Wizard returning to competition, seven times champion Ajamu, young Sherene, who he said has created a big impression along with Zinna and others. “We are starting to revert to the days when Calypsos mean something. Some were commentary –social and political, while other very uplifting,” the Carnival Chief said.