Action heats up in Tobago for Easter

COREY CONNELLY

Easter celebrations in Tobago shifts into high gear tomorrow with the staging of the 47th annual Mt Pleasant Sports and Family Day at the recreation ground.

One of the eagerly-anticipated events on the island's cultural calendar, this year's activity is dedicated to the work of longtime sports announcer Albert Baird and features some 35 events.

President of the Carnbee/Mt Pleasant Village Council Jean Scott-Henry said the event, which had drawn thousands of spectators over the years, was an institution in Tobago.

"This is the place to be on Easter Monday. People from all over the island comes to Mt Pleasant and we also have people from Trinidad coming over," she told Newsday.

She said a 10-kilometre run throughout Mt Pleasant and surrounding villages begins the day's activities at 6 am. The run is being sponsored by the National Lotteries Control Board.

Scott-Henry said although the races are expected to begin from 12 noon, the event would not be launched officially until 2pm by Sport Minister and Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe.

She said a highlight of the sports and family day was the Champion of Champions race, featuring all of the goats that placed first in their respective categories throughout the day. The winner of the overall competition receives $3,200, sponsored by Colfire Insurance Company.

Scott-Henry hoped, though, a good samaritan would come forward to sponsor the popular Race Around De Bend goat race, perhaps the most difficult event of the day. She said late assemblyman Dr Anslem London had sponsored the event in the past.

The winner of this race usually receives $25,000.

Scott-Henry said another main feature of the family day was the Easter Bonnet Parade from 3pm, "open to girls who are babes-in-arms to 12 years-old."

She encouraged supporters to turn out to the sports and family day as four special door prizes will be given out to the early birds.

The action then shifts to scenic Buccoo, a stone's throw away, for the 94th Annual Buccoo Goat and Crab Race Festival.

Held at the Buccoo Integrated Facility, the festival begins with a street parade at 10 am, sponsored by the Division of Tourism and Transportation.

This would be followed by remarks from Secretary for Tourism, Culture and Transportation Nadine Stewart-Phillips, Buccoo/Mt Pleasant representative Ancil Dennis and Winston Pereira, PRO of the Buccoo Village Council.

Finance Secretary Joel Jack is expected to deliver the feature address in the absence of Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, who is out of the country.

After an opening presentation by the Kulture Club Ensemble, the races are expected to begin from 11 am with JIXL Music Solutions, C2 Stake; bmobile, C1Stake; Colfire B Class Classic; and the Division of Youth Affairs and Sport - A Class Classic among others.

There will also be an international and local crab race sponsored by Viola's Place and Assemblyman Dennis, respectively.

Among those due to perform are ace pannist Leandro Noray, Jabali Entertainers, Bago House of Culture Stars, Tobago Alpha Dance Company and Garve Sandy, who is expected to sing Tit For Tat.

Ajani Douglas are scheduled also perform Mummy and the Pussycat while Deon Briggs and Shanice Scipio will dance to the Heel and Toe.

Artistes Patrice Roberts and Erphaan Alves are also expected to entertain the crowd.