Sugar Mas 40:40 officially begins

ZIZ News…Nov 27 2011 – On Friday November 25th, Independence Square was packed to capacity with Carnival lovers who were all eager to witness the official Opening Ceremony of Sugar Mas 40:40 launching 40 days of National Carnival’s 40th Anniversary.

At this impressive ceremony the Chairperson of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee, Ms Shannon Hawley welcomed the massive gathering; thanked Sponsors and Carnival Stakeholders for supporting events leading up to the official opening and encouraged attendees to continue participating in this year’s 40th Anniversary celebrations. Ms Hawley stated that the National Committee was overwhelmed by the “positive public feedback to Sugar Mas 40:40 and the huge turn out at events to date”.

Acting Country Manager of LIME, Mr Jonathan Bass presented a sponsorship cheque in the amount of EC$100,000.00 to the National Carnival Committee and stressed that despite the current strained financial climate, LIME as Premium Platinum Sponsor, is committed to Sugar Mas and other National events. Representatives of the Sponsor for the Opening Ceremony, St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank also presented their sponsorship cheque to the National Carnival Committee and launched their new credit card, the “Black Card”.

The Prince and Princess Scholarship Pageant Contestants made their first public appearance to a roaring round of applause from the enthusiastic audience. The National Talented Teens and National Carnival Queens were also presented and made brief remarks inviting all in attendance to support their respective shows to be held in the “Sugar Mill” at Warner Park. The night continued with costume presentations from children representing 5 Zones for Children’s Carnival which is this year dubbed “St. Kitts and Nevis Culture and Future”, as well as presentations by Xtreme Jouvert, Buccaneers, Phunn Makers and a traditional dance performance by the Dominican Association.

In addition to the captivating performances by Calypso veteran Starshield and Soca diva Shakki the highlight of the night was a presentation by the Minister of Culture, Honourable Marcella Liburd to Mr Elston “Ellie Matt” Nero for his positive input to National Carnival. Minister Liburd thanked “Ellie Matt” for his contribution to the art form of Calypso and indicated that the “National Carnival Committee and the Ministry of Culture unanimously agreed that this token of appreciation was fitting to King Ellie”. Ellie Matt thanked the National Carnival Committee for its kind gesture and following this did not disappoint his fans as he performed a number of hits including “Viva St. Kitts” which left fans begging for more.

While declaring the opening of Carnival Minister Liburd announced that in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Carnival the National Carnival Committee will present as the main prizes a Mitsubishi Lancer to the Senior Calypso Monarch and a Hyundai Accent to the National Queen. She thanked both S L Horsford Ltd and TDC Ltd for collaborating with the Committee to make this presentation of vehicles possible.

Veteran Calypsonian Explainer, out of Trinidad and Tobago capped the night’s performances with a medley of his hit songs including “Lorraine and High Mas” which had the crowd swaying and waving to his powerful voice. The night ended with pulsating rhythms of the Youth Steelpan Competition being part of the Ministry of Tourism’s month of activities. Cayon High School once again defeated their competitors in this competition and were adjudged Panorama Champion for 2011.

Additional information and pictures of this event are available by logging on to the St Kitts & Nevis national Carnival Face book page (www.facebook.com/SKNCarnival) and the official website, www.stkittsneviscarnival.com. Interested persons can also email the carnival secretariat at info@stkittsneviscarnival.com or call the office at 467-1275 and 467- 1539 contact Ms Delisha Huggins.