The Tobago Festivals Commission 2023 assured Tashia Burris, Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transportation, that all outstanding payments would be settled by the end of January. However, service providers and entertainers are yet to receive their funds, sparking ongoing protests due to non-payment for the July 21–August 1 festival of 2023. Garve Sandy, the reigning Tobago Heritage Calypso Monarch, shared a Facebook post with a photo holding her $40,000 winner’s check. She highlighted the delay in receiving her award money, emphasizing the need for prompt updates. Sandy later shared another post featuring a check of her winnings on social media.
