Following A Meeting With The Tourism Secretary, Tashia Burris, Tobago Bandleaders Successfully Negotiated Satisfactory Prize And Grant Packages
Scarborough, Tobago – February 5th, 2024 – Following their recent protest, the Tobago Mas Bandleaders, led by Chairman Dianne McCrimmon, were called into an emergency meeting with Tashia Burris, Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transportation, and the Tobago Festivals Commission. This crucial discussion aimed to resolve the contentious issues surrounding funding and prizes for Carnival 2024.
After the productive meeting, McCrimmon reported a significant breakthrough: they successfully negotiated the restoration of the prize structure to 2023 levels, along with the full allocation of grants for participating mas bands. Furthermore, prizes for the coveted “Band of the Year” title were also reinstated, a key demand from the bandleaders.
This positive outcome signifies a crucial victory for the mas community in Tobago, ensuring greater financial support and recognition for their efforts in producing the island’s vibrant Carnival celebrations. The resolution aims to foster a more stable and encouraging environment for the preservation and development of Tobago’s traditional mas.
