All inclusive carts here to stay

THE EDITOR: As if current oppressions and all societal ills aren’t enough, up comes the myopic proposal to ban all “food and drink” carts in Carnival bands from the Queen’s Park Savannah. The thought arose when vendors at the venue claimed that sales had nose-dived as a result of “all-inclusive” sections in bands — a seemingly brazen conclusion. Even the most naive among us can envision that the implementation of this concept is a recipe for chaos. The idea seemed dead before it was even conceived as depicted by obvious repercussions. Should the unthinkable occur and the plan implemented for Carnival 2004, several big bands are likely to carry out their threat of boycotting the Savannah to ensure that their masqueraders get what they paid for — a well justified decision. Consequently, the absence of major bands would guarantee fewer spectators and even lower sales by extension. So the opposite effect is apparent.

Additionally, bandleaders with all-inclusive sections that go through the Savannah would in reality renege on their explicit promise to provide food and drinks for their revellers when most needed. Within the confines of the Savannah and on the slow approach to the stage, I can attest to the fact that band members become very thirsty and even hungry in the heated anxiety that constitutes more vigorous wining. This is where thousands like myself seek the drinks cart in earnest. Having paid extra for this convenience it would be outrageous for revellers to “cough up” additional money to buy drinks wherever they can or to wait for hours to be re-united with their cart after crossing the stage on a stomach filled only with contempt. These folks may be easily discerned on camera, as their distorted faces would be in direct contrast with an otherwise happy occasion. Indeed, it would be a faux pas to lead a band with all-inclusive sections through the Savannah in the absence of drink carts.

Surely, the error would be realised in dollars and cents next year when disgruntled masqueraders of 2004 register for costumes elsewhere. So there’s no benefit to be derived from the proposed ban, at least not for this year. I imagine that the National Carnival Commission (NCC) would have validated the plight of the vendors before officially upgrading it to proposal status. But how was this accomplished? Was a survey done? I’m curious since I find it difficult to accept that sales have dipped to as low as that inferred. Being a veteran masquerader I can testify by annual observation that most of the people in and around the Savannah on Carnival Mondays and Tuesdays are spectators —the group that mostly patronises vendors. How is it then that the advent of all-inclusive sections impact so heavily, particularly when hordes of revellers can also be seen munching in front of booths throughout the two days?

At any rate, if the cries of vendors are deemed to be credible, restricting the food and drinks carts would merely shift the perception of unfairness from vendor to masquerader. Like vending, the “all inclusive” era is here to stay and a resolve to the current issue should include the element of co-existence. It is more logical to consider regulating the number of food and drink carts depending on band size as opposed to an overall ban. Notwithstanding, it must be reiterated that bandleaders would boycott the Savannah in lieu of short changing their members if any such ban is implemented for the upcoming Carnival. So NCC, think it through this year and defer thoughts of implementation to 2005.

DEXTER J RIGSBY
Mt Lambert