Tobago Heritage Festival starts

A contingent from Antigua and West African master drummer M’Bemba Bangoura who has specially choreographed a dance piece for the event, will be participating guests at tonight’s show. As usual, enthusiasts can look forward to popular productions like the Old Time Moriah Wedding, Pembroke Salaka Feast, Folk Fiesta, Charlotteville Natural Treasures Day and Mason Hall Games We Used To Play.

New productions such as the Mt Grace Christmas Customs of Yesteryear and the Rumshop Lime “Mouth Open ‘Tory Jump Out,” are fast gaining popularity as well.

However, while the event is expected to attract a lot of visitors from within the Caribbean region, the main focus has been placed on domestic tourism and this year officials expect the majority of visitors to come from Trinidad where the festival was also launched.

The Heritage Festival committee is also continuing discussions with the hotel sector and the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) to include special accommodation during the period for persons who wish to attend specific shows.

Committee PRO Rennison Quashie told Newsday while it is still awaiting word from PATT, some of the hotels have already put systems in place to facilitate their guests. He said some of the villages will also be providing shuttles from Scarborough to the venues.

Quashie said that the overall cost of this year’s production has been estimated at just over $4 million and has seen the addition of several new sponsors including one major corporate body.

He told Newsday the committee has received approximately $650,000 in commitment from the sponsors while the THA remains the major sponsor and has pumped some $4 million into the event.