The just-concluded 10-day Caribbean Grand Market has outperformed all initial projections, leaving participating artisans and vendors so satisfied that they are already calling for a follow-up edition as early as December this year, according to Carol Roberts, chief executive of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF).
Roberts shared that informal conversations with vendors have revealed widespread demand for another run of the popular market before the end of the year. “I can tell you anecdotally that quite a number of vendors are already asking for a similar rollout and experience in December, which says a lot about how positively this event landed for them,” she noted.
Rooted in post-CARIFESTA legacy planning, the 2024 Caribbean Grand Market was created in direct response to a government mandate issued after last year’s Caribbean Festival of Arts. The core goal of the initiative was to carve out a dedicated, high-profile space for regional creative talent to showcase their work to the public, aligning with a directive from the country’s prime minister to turn CARIFESTA’s momentum into long-term opportunities for creatives.
Roberts expressed full confidence that the NCF delivered on that promise. “I think it’s been a very good ten days in terms of the execution of the event and being true to the prime minister’s mandate,” she said. “This is one of the key legacy initiatives coming out of CARIFESTA last year. We were directed to remount the Grand Market to make sure that it captured all of the flavours, the sights, the sounds, and the creativity of the Caribbean — and that is exactly what we are confident we have delivered.”
Nearly 150 primary vendors set up stalls across the event’s venue at CARIFESTA House in Waterford, offering a diverse array of goods that spanned far beyond traditional handicrafts. Attendees could browse original visual art pieces, handcrafted home decor, artisanal fashion, natural spa and wellness products, and specialty gourmet foods from across the region. A dedicated food court also drew large crowds of food enthusiasts, serving up authentic signature dishes from eight different Caribbean nations.
Roberts explained that the event’s daily attendance followed a predictable seasonal pattern, shaped by the warm Caribbean climate. “It is a hot time of year, and therefore we very quickly realised that we would have a good crowd in the morning, a lull when the sun is at its hottest, and then the crowds will build back up in the evening,” she said. “And so said, so done, that’s exactly what has happened.” She added that the recent timing of government and national paydays also gave a boost to consumer spending, with most vendors reporting strong, satisfying sales figures.
Beyond the retail experience, NCF organizers built out a diverse, multi-genre entertainment lineup to complement the market, moving beyond the familiar soca acts that dominate seasonal events. The programming included spoken word performances, cabaret shows, traditional spouge music, vintage calypso, and jazz sets, while also providing a professional stage for emerging creative talent developed through existing NCF outreach programs.
The successful model of the Caribbean Grand Market aligns with broader national goals to build a sustainable, year-round event calendar for the region’s creative industries. In the wake of overwhelmingly positive feedback from both vendors and attendees, the NCF is already actively planning future editions to keep consistent commercial opportunities open for regional creators.
Roberts emphasized the long-term economic and cultural value of expanding the market. “The Caribbean Grand Market is ripe for further expansion, exploitation, and execution,” she said. “The more that we as a country and as a region can create opportunities not only for cultural producers to manufacture and display their work, but for us to buy from our own, using for the vast majority our raw materials from the region, it augurs well for everyone.”
While a full formal post-event evaluation is still scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks, Roberts confirmed that early feedback points to overwhelming vendor interest in holding another edition much earlier than the planned next summer cycle, with December emerging as the clear preferred timeline from participating creators.