PM Mia Mottley celebrates success of Kadooment in Barbados

Barbados: Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley expressed pleasure in successfully staging the Kadooment in Barbados. She also extended greetings on Crop Over Festival. 

She also extended gratitude to the bands, promoters, musicians, djs, support staff, media, patrons, masqueraders and all stakeholders. 

PM Mottley said.”A special thank you to everyone for making this year’s Kadooment special. We have to keep our Crop Over festival sweet. Together, let’s make it better each year.” 

She also likes to congratulate Kenaz, “The Mighty Bit Bit” Walker, for his performance at the 2023 World Championships of Performing Arts. 

“He won gold, silver, and bronze in three different genres, including Gospel, where he claimed Best Vocals overall. A true star on the rise, “said the prime minister.  

Early morning showers cooled down what is already shaping up to be grand Kadooment with masqueraders decked out in radiant colours, chipping from the start at Warrens onto Green Hill.

The traditional Wall Holy Band led off the day’s action being observed by scores of Babadians and visitors already lining the streets.

Twenty-four bands will take to the streets today with an estimated 12, 000 revellers for today’s grand climax of the Crop Over Festival.

Bands will compete for prizes in both Band of the Year – Heritage and Band of the Year – Party. Prizes will be awarded in small and large band categories.

 It’s Kadooment Day, the climax event of the Sweetest Summer Festival in Barbados for Crop Over, and masqueraders had two years of energy from the Festival hiatus to release on the road. 

Today, Barbados also salute Crop Over Stalwart Betty West. This year she copped the Best Festival Designer – The Robert Weekes Award and Large Band of the Year – Heritage, in Grand Kadooment with her band “Soca in de Mas”. 

Betty West’s name has become synonymous with Grand Kadooment. She is a fashion designer, masquerade designer and bandleader who was born in Guadeloupe to a Barbadian mother. She will be 80 years old in November.

It marks the end of the sugarcane harvest with colourful parades, exciting music, and cultural celebrations. Many travel to the island during this season as it is one of the biggest festivals in the Caribbean. 

“It’s Kadooment Day. To all Bajans and all those visiting, whatever you do today, whether it be going on the road, spending time with family and friends, or relaxing in peaceful reflection, enjoy wunna self today and be safe! Happy Crop Over,”said the prime minister.