Harts is still Harts was the message that bandleader Luis Harts emphasised yesterday at Harts Carnival mas camp on Alcazar Street, St Clair in light of recent fears expressed over their merger with Tribe and Bliss. Masqueraders have nothing to be fearful about concerning the merger with Tribe and Bliss.
The union is strictly a strategic one that aims to directly benefit masqueraders by keeping the cost of Carnival costumes down while enhancing the overall Carnival experience for masqueraders but in no way changes the identity of Harts that their followers so dearly love.
"This is a management merger on the back end of things. The band remains separate, all three bands are different experiences and that will not change.
We are merging to share resources, to benefit from each other's ideas and most importantly to leverage our combined purchasing volume to strike better deals and in turn ensure that prices stay down for the masquerader.
And that is really the bottom line here...keeping prices down for the masquerader while adding more value to their experience." said Harts bandleader, Luis Hart.
Some changes that masqueraders can expect include the introduction of the all-inclusive option, a rest park where various lunch options will available and an improved rest spot with enhanced ammenities.
"We're putting the all-inclusive option which will be available to every section of the band. So you have choices, if you're already in a cart you can buy the costume alone, or pay the upgrade price which allows the all-inclusive experience.
Carts have always been the core of Harts and we're not messing with that. We understand it's traditional and is very much who we are.
I've realised over the years that the younger masqueraders prefer the all inclusive experience so we will be providing that for them," said Hart.
Also masqueraders can soon look forward to a new and improved mas camp which is currently under renovation and is to be launched with a grand reopening soon.
"I think the Harts masqueraders are going to see a lot of enhancements and improvements in terms of the product with the changes being made.
These changes will not in any way hamper the great experiences that our masqueraders have had in the past.
We are holding on to that and intend to make those experiences even better," said Hart.
Harts Carnival will launch its 2016 presentation–Vogue–costumes tonight at the Queen's Park Oval carpark on Elizabeth Street, St Clair and Hart promises that it will be an epic event.
He said: "It's going to be a grand show and we want people to come out.
It's the first time we're doing it at the Oval which is an excellent venue and we're going to make a big bang!"