IT ISN’T QUITE Crop Over Good Morning yet, but preparations have begun for the kick-off to the island’s grandest summer party.
At least seven calypso tents had registered with organisers, the National Cultural Foundation, by the deadline last Thursday, meaning their members will be up for the nine coveted spots in the marquee event of the Crop Over Festival, Pic-O-De-Crop.
Partygoers and lovers of classic calypso will criss-cross the island between July 1 and 13 for the judging of prime spots in this year’s competition.
Stray Cats will be judged on July 2; De Big Show, July 5; Super Gladiators, July 8; The Experience July 9; Africa Heartbeat, July 11; House Of Soca on July 12 and All Stars the following night. The unattached calypsonians will be judged on July 1 at Ball Park, Christ Church.
Absent from this year’s judging is the popular Headliners, which announced earlier that it would not be pitching tent, the Tornadoes, and the lesser established Unshackled, which was launched last year.
While the tent registration was March 30, the calypsonians’ deadline is May 25.
De Big Show has already flexed its muscles by releasing its line-up of former monarchs and finalists in all the major music contests: RPB, Adrian ‘AC’ Clarke, Serenader, I-Web, Edwin, Grynner, Adonijah, TC, Blood, Biggie Irie, Mikey, Mistah Dale and Marvay. The tent opens on June 3.
The festival officially starts on May 14 with the Crop Over Thanksgiving Service at Vauxhall Methodist Church, followed by the Crop Over Mega Cavalcade on May 19 in Checker Hall, St Lucy.
The usual offerings will continue with the Crop Over In The City, Heritage Bus Tour, Junior Calypso Monarch tents, and the Crop Over Opening Gala Ceremonial Delivery Of The Last Canes at King George V Memorial Park in June.
The festival climaxes with Grand Kadooment on August 7, though the last event on the calendar will be the Crop Over Awards Ceremony on August 12. (AC)