Basseterre, St. Kitts (June 27, 2007)
Faron Lawrence, the Chairman for the St. Kitts Music Festival Committee said the 11th edition of the summer extravaganza achieved various benchmarks, fulfilling some expectations while surpassing others.
On Tuesday’s edition of SKNIS’ radio programme, Perspectives, Mr. Lawrence noted that this year’s event topped those of previous years.
“It was absolutely fantastic. Every year you have a festival (and at the end) you think this can’t be beaten. It was beaten,” he stressed. “The lineup was fantastic, the shows were outstanding and the feedback I am getting from visitors and locals (who attended the festival) is just great and I am really proud to be associated with this year’s festival as with all the others.”
Although this is Lawrence’s first year as head of the committee, he has served in various capacities since 1997. Prior to assuming the chair, he co-chaired the Festival’s Finance Subcommittee along with Yvonne Merchant Charles.
Mr. Lawrence said his duties are challenging but welcomed the tremendous responsibility.“I am looking forward to doing it again,” he explained. “I will have more time to plan a lot of what I would like to see put in place and once they are consistent with what the Minister has in mind they will help the festival to grow.”
Among ideas is the return of the face off between local bands on Thursday night.
The Music Festival Chairman noted that the marketing strategy employed by his committee in collaboration with the St. Kitts Tourism Authority was successful. He cited increases in flight bookings and hotel occupancy as well as the shortage of rental vehicles and crowded restaurants to reinforce his point.
“The investment was definitely worth it and when you look at the numbers that attended the show, you’d realize it worked. It definitely worked,” he stressed.
Lawrence added that although attendance figures were not available at the time of the interview, he was confident that the numbers would be positive. He explained that the main stage was moved back some 30 feet from last year’s location which served to reduce overcrowding and allowed persons to move about more freely.
Mr. Lawrence thanked Cable and Wireless for its tremendous support and continued commitment to the Music Festival. The telecommunications company is the primary private sector sponsor of the summer event. Lawrence also thanked Tropical Shipping, Carib Breweries and Island Purified Water for their contribution.
The chairman concluded by explaining that the St. Kitts Music Festival is a world class, top quality product and residents should be as excited as visitors, and even more so, to promote the event and the destination when they travel.