Remember the days when families headed for the Queen's Park Savannah for the two days of Carnival? Carnival crowds turned out for both Monday and Tuesday mas.The important thing was that everybody felt welcome up at the Savannah. The Grand Stand was more expensive than the bleachers but not exorbitant. It is ridiculous to see a 70 per cent empty Grand Stand that is peopled mainly by the judges, photographers and security personnel.
What is the point of getting the Grand Stand ready for judging if the normal house-holder cannot afford the entry fee?Do I dare ask how much money is spent erecting the North Stand? Gone are the days when the North Stand reigned supreme and bursting with enthusiastic families with their baskets and bugles. Carnival used to "rock."
The horrifying thing is that apart from Panorama, the lack of paying spectators extends to all the shows. A simple decision like dropping the price of tickets to $150 for anywhere, on any day, for any show may very well entice takers. A bleachers price of $75 for adults and $50 for children would see all bleachers sold out for both Carnival days. Vendors would have to be allowed on the "drag" and at orchestrated points for full value on their outlay. Is it not better to sell every ticket instead of just 25 per cent?
A system where all competing bands can be judged over two days needs to be introduced. Competing bands can be judged in full costume on the allotted day and be allowed to leave parts of their costumes off, should they so desire, on their judging-free day.
May I be so bold as to say that both the bandleaders and the Government appear to have priced themselves out of the equation? Or is it that too many people want to play mas and we just do not have enough spectators who can afford to pay to see any of the shows? And what about the tedious untimely expensive government advertisements breaking up the televised shows?
We just cannot go on this way. Carnival is very close to dying in Port-of-Spain. Where have the spectators gone? What have we become? Are we now too rich or is it poor to party?
Lynette Joseph
Via e-mail