The San Fernando Carnival Committee is moving towards making Skinner Park the Carnival hub for 2013.
To this end, a new competition has been introduced, as an incentive for the mas bands to parade in Skinner Park on Carnival Tuesday.
Convenor of the San Fernando Carnival Committee Kenny Phillips said it would be known as the Skinner Park Band of the Year competition and will be open to bands in the small, medium and large category.
In addition to cash prizes, which should total approximately $300,000, the large band would receive the Mac Copeland trophy, while the medium and small bands will receive the Rudolph Legall and Rudolph Belgrove trophies, respectively.
"To qualify for the Skinner Park Band of the Year, all the bands have to do, on Carnival Tuesday, is to cross the Skinner Park stage, unlike the other competitions where you have to cross all the judging points to qualify for Band of the Day/Year," Phillips said.
"We are attempting to make Skinner Park the hub of San Fernando Carnival once more."
Noting that it is the venue for the single pan band finals, as well as the Sando Night of the Merry Monarch, Chutney/Soca Monarch and Calypso Fiesta, Phillip said the space was wasted on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
He encouraged families to come with their coolers of drinks and food and have a picnic at Skinner Park on Carnival Tuesday from where there will also be live television coverage, on Channel 4.
"Taking the mas out of Skinner Park, was always questionable," Phillip said, pointing out that with fewer bands parading on the streets on the two days of revellery, spectators have to wait for hours or walk miles to the various judging points to see the bands. He also said the inadequate number of bleachers offered to the south also put spectators at a disadvantage.
Phillip said this was one of the reasons why they are bringing back competition to Skinner Park, which is already equipped with spectator stands.
The improvements to Skinner Park, including the shifting of the stage and an additional exit opposite the Neal and Massy compound, would make it more accessible for mas bands and steelbands to cross the stage, he said.
During intervals, on Carnival Tuesday, Phillip said there will be guest artistes, as well as, an area for children, complete with a bouncy castle and other similar games to make Carnival Tuesday at Skinner Park, interesting and memorable.
SAN FERNANDO CARNIVAL COMMITTEE
ROUTES AND JUDGING POINTS FOR CARNIVAL 2013
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February 10
10 am - Junior Parade of the Bands.
Starting Paramount Building (OWTU) Circular Road, turn right onto Royal Road, then right onto Coffee Street, and left onto Cipero parading along Cipero Street ending at Skinner Park.
Judging Point - Skinner Park.
February 11
4 am - J'Ouvert (Modern).
Starting at Royal Road, turn right onto Coffee Street, left onto Cipero Street, right onto Reinzi Kirton Highway, right onto Independence Avenue, parading towards right lane onto Chancery Lane, Turning right onto High Street then onto Coffee Street, left onto La Coullie Street, right onto Carib Street, down Hobson Street. Back onto Royal Road and unto Hobson street forming a loop.
Judging point - Reinzi Kirton Highway.
4 am - J'ouvert (Traditional).
From Coffee Street left onto Prince of Wales Street, right onto Keate Street, right onto Mucurapo Street, onto Harris Promenade, right onto Chancery Lane, then right onto High Street.
Judging point - Band Stand- Promenade.
4 am - J'Ouvert Steelbands competition.
Starting point - Coffee Street, turning left unto Prince of Wales Street, right onto Keate Street, and right onto Mucurapo Street to Harris Promenade.
Judging point - Band Stand - Promenade.
1 pm - Parade of the Bands.
Starting point - Royal Road, turn right onto Coffee Street, left onto Cipero Street, right unto Sutton Street, onto Independence Avenue, parading towards right lane onto Chancery Lane, Turning right onto High Street then onto Coffee Street, left onto La Coullie Street, right onto Carib Street, down Hobson Street. Back onto Royal Road onto Hobson street forming a loop.
Judging points - High Street and Coffee Street.
6 pm - Monday night steelband.
Starting at Royal Road, turn Right onto Coffee Street , right onto La Coullie Street, right onto Carib Street, right onto Kelshall Street back to Royal Road forming a loop.
Judging point - Coffee Street.
10 pm - Monday Night Mas
Starting at Royal Road, turn Right onto Coffee Street, Left onto Cipero Street, then onto Sutton Street, Independence Avenue, Chancery Lane, turning right onto High Street by Courts Store, then back to Coffee Street.
Judging point - Coffee Street.
Carnival Tuesday
9 am - Parade of Bands from Royal Road, turn right onto Coffee Street, left onto Cipero Street, right onto Reinzi Kirton, right onto Independence Avenue, parading towards right lane onto Chancery Lane, Turning right onto High Street then onto Coffee Street, left onto La Coullie Street, right onto Carib Street, down Hobson Street. Back onto Royal Road forming a loop.
Judging point - Coffee Street & Rienzi Kirton Highway, High Street.