Crosby weeps as ‘Nikkiland’ cancelled

COMEDIENNE, actress and radio personality Nikki Crosby yesterday announced that this year’s edition of her Nikkiland show has been cancelled.

“I cried three times today after taking the decision to cancel Nikkiland,” Crosby said as she confirmed that a lack of sponsorship was the driver behind her decision to call of this year’s production.

Nikkiland, a children’s all-inclusive Carnival event, began 13 years ago and during that time it took a break only once due a Carnival short season.

Last year, Crosby held a Nikkiland Coney Island in Chaguanas and for this year, she planned to stage the event at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Sunday February 10.

“Nikkiland is very expensive to run. I usually put out approximately $350,000 to give the children a good show.

“The $200 tickets at the door cannot cover such expenses since I also have to pay for police, firemen, insurance, the stage and COTT (Copyright Organisation of TT).

“It saddens me deeply that Nikkiland doesn’t have the support it needs,” Crosby said.

Nikkiland usually sought sponsors for the children’s giveaways and Crosby said with budget constraints, she just couldn’t get the show off without that support.

“This event has never been about money-making, it was always about giving back to the children and about them having a good, clean Carnival experience.” Crosby said she has been put in debt twice before where Nikkiland is concerned and was not willing to be in that situation a third time.