Bridgetown Market is slowly returning to its glory days, some attendees are reporting.
Yesterday, the first day of the market kicked off with vendors lining the Mighty Grynner Highway and entertainment from a stage as well as the Crop Over Pan Bus.
However, some vendors told the Sunday Sun it was still a far cry from yesteryear.
“I’ve been coming to Bridgetown Market for more than 20 years,” said toy vendor Pat Devonish.
“It used to be better, then COVID hit. Last year was very bad, but it looks a bit better now with the bands. There’s a few more people now for the first day than in the past couple years, so I think it is on the way back, if this continues,” she said, adding she hoped business picked up today.
Food vendor Zoanne Roberts said sales were looking slim and she, too, hoped business would pick up. She said she had better sales last year.
“It was quiet then, too, but there were spenders. I hope they come out later,” she said.
Things were looking slower than last year for food vendor Shane Joseph. He said the Crop Over vibe was being stifled due to the lack of community cavalcades and the upsurge in violence.
Despite the slow pace of sales, there were still hundreds of people walking the route, among them Londoner Darren Webster, who was strolling with his family and praised the freedom people had.
“When you come here, compared to Nottingham, there is more freedom from police, and the people are more empowered; it’s a lot more familyoriented,” he said.
Webster and his family were looking forward to local food and marvelled at the school bands playing pan.
“It’s wonderful,” he declared.
Veronica Rock Lorenzo proudly revealed she came home “all the way” from Germany to take part in Crop Over activities.
She said she had not been to Bridgetown Market in years but admitted to feeling a bit disappointed.
“I didn’t realise it had gotten so empty,” she said, adding she was looking forward to eating some food.
Rishana Burrowes was in from Maryland in the United States and said she thought Bridgetown Market
was “amazing”, though she thought it could be livelier and hoped for more sights later, while adding she was looking forward to contributing to the economy.
Roland Hall was guiding his “captain”, disabled grandson Rakiro Sargeant, in a wheelchair. He said Rakiro was curious and liked to attend all the events he could.
“He goes to everything, here at Bridgetown Market,
to cricket, he likes to see everything. I’m his wingman,” he said.
Hall said they had been at the market from early as he did not want to fight through crowds.
Master of ceremonies Antwone Holder said he hoped more people would turn out, but it was still going well, and he expected the crowds to swell as night approached.
“People really appreciated the performances, especially the school orchestras and we have stars from various calypso tents, fire eating, and limbo dancing, so we should have a bigger crowd,” he said. (CA)
