Cable TV forced to
scrap annual party
~ Charter with 145 carnival revellers cancelled ~
PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Cable TV has been forced to cancel its annual Carnival Party planned for April 27, which attracts local and international bands and revellers, according to Cable TV management.
The party was set to be held on the Great Bay beach promenade, but according to a press release issued by Cable TV Managing Director Beulah Jonis, “The event was cancelled last month due to some unfortunate incidents that transpired with SCDF.” She said one suggestion by SCDF had been to have an earlier time – 4:30pm to 8:30pm – for the event.
“While this may seem to benefit the SCDF, our experience has been different, since the day of our event, which is a final working day before the holidays, the traffic is terrible. This means that most locals are not able to go to the venue earlier than 7:30pm. Interestingly, the SCDF seemed to be surprised that the locals attend our event when this was brought forward,” explained Jonis.
Jonis said that due to the “overwhelming number of calls and e-mails we have been receiving during the past few weeks from locals and regional persons, we are officially informing the general public that this year St. Maarten Cable TV will not be having its annual Carnival party on the boardwalk.”
St. Maarten Cable TV has held this event since 2004; at St. Rose Arcade on the Great Bay beach promenade (the boardwalk) the past two years. Local and Aruban bands have performed in the past years and the event is aired live on TV15. It has become an event to which locals and visitors look forward.
Jonis said, “As a business we understand the concerns of SCDF that were brought forward regarding our annual Carnival event, which takes place the last working day before Carnival holidays.”
“We find this an unfortunate situation because the band had a group of approximately 145 people coming, for whom a charter was scheduled, but the visiting group opted not to come, so that particular charter was cancelled,” she added.
“While this unfortunate event has dampened our Carnival spirit, we have not let this affect us totally. This year again our office in Madame Estate is decorated for the Carnival season. We are again sponsoring the group Road Warriors, who will be in the Grand Parade, and TV15 will be promoting various events on the station and the bulletin board.”
She also stated that while there had been requests for information about Tempo’s arrival, Cable TV had been informed that Tempo would be in St. Thomas for its Carnival, which is held at the same time.
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