The prestigious Carnival King and Queen of San Fernando competitions have been cancelled due to a lack of funding from the National Carnival Commission (NCC).
In a media release yesterday evening, the San Fernando City Corporation informed the public that the 2023 edition of the competition was off due to unforeseen circumstances.
It was set to take place at the Bandstand on Harris Promenade in conjunction with the South Calypso Monarch Finals yesterday.
The release went on to explain that a decision was taken to select this year's winners of the King and Queen based on their scores at the National Carnival Commission King and Queen Competition, which took place last Friday at the Queen's Park Savannah.
In addressing the issue with Guardian Media yesterday, San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello said, firstly, that Skinner Park was not yet ready to host an event of that magnitude, as refurbishment works are still ongoing.
As such, he said the competition was moved to Harris Promenade.
"But that too required infrastructural preparations, and when I looked at it yesterday (Monday) evening, we had not received our allocation from NCC as yet and it doesn't allow me to invest in physical infrastructure."
Mayor Regrello explained that the prize money can be guaranteed, but on the Promenade, they need immediate money to construct bleachers and sound systems etcetera.
When asked when he expected to get the subvention from the NCC, Regrello said they had not heard anything as yet.
"I am not sure what is going on," he said.
He said he also didn't think any other region has been told what they will be getting and when.
"We have hints of what we may get but there is no confirmation or guarantee from the NCC," he added.
The Mayor said he has communicated on several occasions with NCC chairman Winston Gypsy Peters, who indicated that he was awaiting a release from his line ministry.
"I am not bashing the NCC. This is a difficult time and they will do what they have to do," he said.
Nevertheless, Mayor Regrello said the corporation will go ahead with its plans for Carnival and the other competitions.
"But what we are stymied by is to determine what the prize structure would be. That is the only hindrance we're going to have or handicap we going to have, but the competitions are going to be on, we are going to give out our prizes based on what we receive," he said.
Attempts to contact NCC chairman Peters and Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell were unsuccessful up to press time last evening.