The countdown to the highly anticipated Assou Square 2025 has begun, with organisers promising a bigger and better event to usher in the New Year.
Held annually in the heart of Castries, this vibrant cultural event is set to feature an exciting blend of music, live entertainment, and community engagement.
With the event just around the corner, key stakeholders shared details on Monday about the planning for the festivities, which will begin at 9 a.m. on New Year’s Day and run until 10:30 p.m.
Nicky Caldron, Operations Manager for the Castries Constituency Council (CCC), which organises the event, said safety is a top priority.
Outlining some of the measures to ensure safety, he said that Brazil and Laborie Streets are the only areas where flames or fire will be allowed.
“This area has been designated only for persons involved with fire, which is open flames and barbecue and other stuff like that,” he said.
Entertainment coordinator for the event, Gilroy Ezi Hall shared his excitement about the wide array of performances planned.
“Entertainment has traditionally been a very important part of the Assou Square experience, and one of the challenges with providing entertainment is because of the diverse interests of persons. You have a younger generation who are looking towards perhaps soca artists and things of that nature, but you have the older generation who look forward to a lot of the traditional activities,” he noted.
The entertainment lineup includes traditional favourites, like pan music, with a special performance by the junior panorama group.
Hall expressed his gratitude for the CCC’s efforts to ensure a balanced entertainment offering.
“We have a lot of young upcoming jazz musicians within the school system. We have a lot of upcoming young soca artists. We have included our youth as a very integral part of the entertainment–but the emphasis is on quality,” he said.
The festivities will also feature family-friendly activities and safe spaces, including kids’ zones with bouncy castles and other attractions.
“The Boulevard area is a no-alcohol zone. Absolutely no alcohol will be allowed to be sold in the Boulevard area,” Caldron confirmed.
Hall highlighted a new initiative where young attendees can enjoy free rides.
“It is one hour where young people will get to go onto all of the rides available at Assou Square for absolutely free, compliments of the parliamentary rep,” he explained.
Assou Square 2025 will also feature several competitions, including a popular calypso and country and western music showdown, along with a DJ competition to showcase local talent.
Chicken n rum. The national pasttime.
When will the present council take a professional approach? Those tacky wooden structures with the prerequisite galvanize is definitely a thing of yesterday. I remember Peterson started with white tents which gave the event a professional look. Some people just have poor taste, and nothing will drag them into classiness. I should have known better about expecting better. I should have recognized the clues all over the dump called Castries.