Arima Fest celebrations

The show is a celebration of cosmopolitan Arima culture and heritage and marks the 118th year of Arima being a Royal charactered Borough.

The fair which begins at 10 am, will feature a cook-out with local and Caribbean menus and patrons are invited to “Turn down the pot” and have lunch at the fair from 11 am. There will also be and art and craft market and children’s village. The festivities will also feature live entertainment from Trinidad All Stars, Nu Pioneer, Skatie, Kissie Ruiz and Brother Resistance.

At the pageant, which takes place from 6 pm, 12 delegates will vie for the title of Miss Arima Folk Queen.The contestants are Christine Courtenay, Miss Homeland Gardens; Kyrstal Mark, Miss Mausica; Darcelle Pereira, Miss Arima Central; Bridget Beckles, Miss O’Meara; Crystal Pinder, Miss Calvary; Kezia London, Miss Arima North-East, Arlene Moses, Miss Samaroo Village, Melissa Rampersad, Miss Arima West; Nickiriis Jack Miss Malabar; and Nekeisha Delpeche, Miss Wallerfield. The show will be in three parts. The first segment will highlight stylised modern fold wear done by Dominique La Roche and the delegates will introduce themselves through a folk cabaret performance.

The second segment is a talent review with performances ranging form musicians to dancers to singers and dramatists. The final segment will feature costumes showcasing elements from the district being represented.

Richard Young, the artistic director of the pageant, has put the delegates through a rigourous training programme in confidence building, stage dynamics, image management, deportment, wardrobe planning, personality projection and interview skills.