From this year, all finalists in the Courtesy/Mount Gay Pic O De Crop competition will receive $2 000 as a production fee.
Minister of Culture John King made this surprise announcement last evening at the Crop Over sweepstakes mix and mingle held at Courtesy Garage, Wildey, St Michael.
“We talk about the production and wanting it to step up to another level, so this year and this is the first time the calypsonians will know this, each one of the finalists will receive $2 000 as a production fee to help them with putting on their presentation,” King said to a rousing applause from the finalists and other guests.
He said this was only the beginning for the positive changes to the competition and by extension the festival.
“Pic O De Crop needs to go back to being the premier competition not only in Barbados but in the Caribbean. We’ve spoke about the levels of the production, there’s never a ceiling and I’m going to challenge the calypsonians to improve on what you do and I will support you one thousand per cent,” he added.
The Minister said for 2019, he would also be lobbying for more prizes for the finalists in the competition he was once apart of. In doing so, he threw out a challenge to regional product manager of Courtesy Garage, Sam Gaston, who was in attendance.
“For Crop Over 2019 I expect as first prize an SUV, second prize a Sedan and third prize a hatchback and that is what we will be working towards,” King said. (NS)
