A record number of schools have registered for this year’s National Schools Calypso Competition and the newly introduced National Schools Soca Competition, prompting organisers to adjust the Lucian Junior Carnival schedule.
Since the programme’s launch two weeks ago, the Carnival Planning and Management Committee (CPMC) has updated the calendar to accommodate the surge in participation and new events.
To better showcase the talent of young performers, the music competitions will now be separated by school level, with primary and secondary students performing on different days. The CPMC says this change ensures each group has a platform suited to their developmental stage and creative expression.
The National Primary Schools Calypso & Soca Competition will now be held on Thursday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. The National Secondary Schools Calypso & Soca Competition is slated for Friday, June 6, from 9:30 a.m.
These will be followed by the National Schools Pan Festival on Saturday, June 7, from 2:00 p.m.
The venue for these Lucian Junior Carnival events will be the Mindoo Phillip Park.
Organisers are assuring participants, parents and supporters that in consultation with the various stakeholders, the Junior Carnival calendar was restructured to ensure that events are well-paced to allow participants and their families to enjoy the festivities and return home in good time.
These updates, the CPMC says, reflect the ongoing commitment by the organisers and stakeholders to youth development, cultural preservation, and the responsible staging of events that serve both the creative and practical needs of our youth.
