[UPDATED] Registration for Tobago mas extended to Feb 24

DIANE Mc Crimmon, chair of the Tobago Mas Bandleaders Association, says registration for mas bands participating in Carnival has been extended to February 24.

Carnival is being held on March 3 and 4 under the theme, No Place Like Home.

At a news conference on February 7 at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Mc Crimmon said the deadline for registration was February 17.

On that occasion, she said 20 bands had already registered in the juniors category, including five large bands.

She added six bands had also registered for the senior competition while seven were registered for J’Ouvert.

On February 19, Mc Crimmon told Newsday registration was ongoing.

“Bands are coming in. We have more new bands than old bands,” she said.

But she said some of the bandleaders will not be participating this year because there is no band-of-the-year competition for senior bands.

“But registration is coming along. We have 15 traditional bands, five night mas, three large bands for juniors, four medium bands and two small. People are still coming in and taking registration forms. It closes off on Monday.”

Mc Crimmon said the bands interested in participating in Roxborough J’Ouvert have not yet registered.

“Is only Scarborough we have. So we are still awaiting Roxborough.”

She said bands can still register for J’Ouvert, but there will be no ole-mas competition.

The THA has pumped $5.8 million into Tobago’s Carnival celebrations. On February 20, the THA inter-department carnival competition takes place at the parade grounds, Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, from 7pm.

The parade grounds will also be the venue for the National Panorama medium-band final on February 23.

Defending champions Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, hoping to secure a hat-trick, will come up against nine other bands at the highly anticipated event. Starting time is 7pm.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

DIANE Mc Crimmon, chair of the Tobago Mas Bandleaders Association, says registration for mas bands participating in the upcoming Carnival has been extended to February 24.

Carnival is being held on March 3 and 4 under the theme No Place Like Home.

At a news conference on February 7 at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Mc Crimmon had said initially that the deadline date for registration was February 17.

On that occasion, she said in the juniors category 20 bands had already registered, including five large bands.

She added six bands had also registered for the senior competition while seven were registered for J’Ouvert.

On February 19, Mc Crimmon told Newsday registration was ongoing.

“Bands are coming in. We have more new bands than old bands,” she said.

But she said some of the bandleaders will not be participating this year because there is no band of the year competition for senior bands.

“But registration is coming along. We have 15 traditional bands, five night mas, three large band for juniors, four medium bands and two small. People are still coming in and taking registration forms. It closes off on Monday.”