IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER
DESPITE THE recently concluded Carnival season being well supported across the respective bands, the organisers are already mulling executing an even more impressive product next year.
Organisers have expressed that although the season has ended, the work is never complete and the teams will hardly get any rest.
Xaymaca International’s director, Andrew Bellamy, told The Gleaner, “One usually overlooked element of any successful road march experience, is producing high-quality costumes and running a smooth distribution centre ... luckily this year, both were on point, delivering amazing customer service.”
He expressed that having invested time, creative energies, professional expertise and financial resources, compounded with a never-ending marketing campaign, has clearly paid off and was evident on the road.
“We had set a target and surpassed it in fine style, so the entire Xaymaca family is pleased. Our directors, staff, committee members, service suppliers, section marketers, models, family and friends have all given so much of themselves to the brand, and the natural synergy has produced an amazing road march experience,” said Bellamy.
BREAK, THEN PLAN
He says the Xaymaca team will be taking a week off and then it’s on to the planning of the next carnival season.
Meanwhile, Scott Dunn of Dream Entertainment, organisers of Xodus, said, “There’s always a need for improvement, especially if we are trying to put together a product that the world can look at and be amazed by.”
He also addressed the issues concerning the lunch break; a few patrons complained that it was not enough time to collect and eat, because of the large number of persons participating in each band.
“If there’s anything we need to improve, it would definitely be the food and beverage service, as well as distribution overall, so as to live up to the promises made to our local and international supporters,” he said.
This, he said, would be discussed in their upcoming review meetings to start plans for Carnival 2019, not to mention the team has their work cut out for them for the rest of the year with the upcoming Bleu Weekend, Dream Cruise and the summer staple event, Dream Weekend, that also attracts a large number of international guests.
Bellamy added, “A few minor areas of weakness have already been identified along with the solutions for remedying them, but thankfully, these minor hindrances didn’t compromise the experience of our masqueraders; that aside, our Xaymacans felt safe and secure.”
Charmaine Franklin, of Bacchanal Jamaica, had no grouses with the way things were executed.
“Our revellers had a super day and everything went on without any hitches, not to mention the weather was also permitting,” Franklin said, adding, “We must extend our gratitude to the spectators who were organised, and watched the carnival procession without rushing the individuals involved in the parade.”