Sugar and Energy Festival to focus on young adults

Organisers of this year’s Sugar and Energy Festival in Couva are focusing on the development of young adults by way of education. However, they are appealing to corporate citizens to come on board by either sponsoring an event or making a contribution.

The festival, which runs from May 25 to 27, is estimated to cost $800,000. Outlining the importance of the festival at the launch held yesterday at Plipdeco House, Point Lisas, chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation Dave Persad said the youths could not really appreciate the country unless they understood its history.

He said sugar and energy played an important role in the development of T&T and by teaching them of its importance, it would help to keep the festival alive. Persad called on corporate citizens not only to sponsor, but also to participate in the festival.

Most of the items at this year’s festival will be held at Gilbert Park and along the streets of Couva. One of the highlights this year will be the Cart Parade, which depicts the ceremonial delivery of the last canes and the crowning of the King and Queen of the Crop.

It also includes a Children’s Day which will be set aside only for children and will feature a number of events, including recitation, soca, chutney, drama and essay writing, which will be held on May 28. The following day will see eight local beauties showcasing their elegance and talent as they compete for the Sugar and Energy Festival Queen crown.

The queen show will be followed by the Festival of Drums and street parade, which will merge the different musical aspects of local culture. The parade, titled One People, One Nation, One Country, will feature tassa bands, African drumming, steelbands, ole mas characters and moko jumbies.