作者： admin

Mikey Mercer’s rare soca treble with Tune of De Crop win

Barbadian soca artist Michael “Mikey” Mercer has cemented his status as the breakout star of this year’s Crop Over festival, pulling off a rare three-prize sweep that capped off the annual Caribbean celebration in dramatic fashion. His chart-topping hit *Like Uh Bajan* edged out competitors by the narrowest of margins to claim the festival’s most coveted award, the Tune of De Crop title, one single play ahead of the runner-up.

The milestone win follows Mercer’s earlier victories in the Sweet Soca and Power Soca Monarch competitions, making him only the latest elite artist to claim the highly sought-after hat trick of Crop Over’s top soca honors. Speaking to local media shortly after his win was announced on the final night of the festival, Grand Kadooment Day, Mercer described the unprecedented achievement as a humbling experience that rewarded months of creative work.

According to official competition results, *Like Uh Bajan* was selected for 14 rotations during the final judging round, beating second-place contender Leadpipe’s *Dah Wuh She Get* by just one play. Leadpipe took home a $7,500 cash prize for his second-place finish, while third-place winner Shaquille earned $5,000 for his track *After All*, which received 12 plays. Mercer claimed the top $10,000 prize for his Tune of De Crop win, adding to the earnings from his earlier two titles.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Mercer opened up about the inspiration behind his viral track, revealing that *Like Uh Bajan* was not originally written with competition success in mind. “When I wrote this song, there was no competition in sight,” he explained. His core goal was to foster genuine national pride among Bajans, pushing back against common stereotypes about Barbadian culture and centering positive representation of how Barbadians celebrate community and life.

“I was hoping that it was something that they would gravitate towards because people always have a lot of talk for Bajans in terms of how we party and so on and I wanted positivity to reign where we were concerned,” he said. Mercer added that he has been overwhelmed by the public reception of the track, noting that audience connection is an outcome artists cannot force or control. “It is a fantastic feeling as a lot of work went into this year and we are thankful that it paid off,” he shared. “The people holding onto the song at this level is something you cannot control. So I am humbled that the general public like it as they do.”

The breakout success of *Like Uh Bajan* has already opened new international doors for the artist, with Mercer confirming he has received multiple booking requests to perform at overseas events in the coming months. Looking ahead to next year’s Crop Over season, the artist is already ahead of the game: he revealed that he began working on new tracks in his recording studio before this year’s competition even kicked off, with several songs already fully completed. He added that he has not yet decided whether those early demos will be the tracks he releases for 2025’s contest, but emphasized his commitment to bringing the same high-energy, joyful spirit that defined his 2024 win to future work. “We are definitely going to look to bring some more energy and more fun within the soca,” he said, noting that he plans to continue creating as long as his health allows.

5 8 月, 2026
Oostelbos: Suriname moet in Brussel werk maken van visumvrij reizen

On August 4, during a formal farewell audience with Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons at the President’s Cabinet, departing Dutch Ambassador Walter Oostelbos left one key policy recommendation for the Surinamese government ahead of his return to the Netherlands on August 14: move forward with a formal request to the European Union to grant Suriname visa-free travel access to the bloc. The outgoing diplomat emphasized that the path to this policy goal does not run through The Hague, but rather through Brussels, noting that visa policy falls under EU-wide jurisdiction rather than national Dutch authority.

Beyond his policy recommendation, Oostelbos reflected positively on his tenure and the evolution of bilateral ties between the two nations. He noted that since 2020, Suriname and the Netherlands have made significant strides in rebuilding and strengthening their relationship, which is increasingly rooted in equal footing and mutual respect. Framing the two nations as interconnected family, he acknowledged that bilateral ties have seen their share of highs and lows over the years, but stressed that the commitment to maintaining the partnership has remained the core of their engagement.

Reflecting on his time in the South American country, Oostelbos shared that he had always felt welcome during his posting. He highlighted that Suriname’s greatest asset is not its natural gold or timber reserves, but its people, adding that the people of Suriname would be what he misses most after his departure. He also expressed his expectation that bilateral cooperation will continue to deepen in the coming years.

Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation Melvin Bouva echoed the ambassador’s assessment of the current bilateral relationship, describing it as a dynamic partnership that increasingly centers on mutual interests and equal standing. To support ongoing cooperation, the Netherlands has committed 10 million euros in funding for development projects across Suriname over the next five years, with investments targeted at strengthening the rule of law, expanding government revenue capacity, improving infrastructure, advancing sustainable water management, and supporting broad social development.

On the topic of visa policy, Minister Bouva confirmed that the issue remains a key priority in bilateral discussions. He noted that both sides share the goal of making travel for Surinamese citizens simpler, smoother, and more dignified. Oostelbos added that while the formal application for full visa-free access is an EU-level process that requires initiative from Suriname, the Netherlands will continue its own efforts to reduce wait times for Surinamese citizens applying for visas in the interim.

5 8 月, 2026
Costa Rica wins [1-1, 5-3 on penalties], ending the Grenadiers’ dream (video)

The 2026 CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Championship quarterfinal clash between Haiti’s Grenadiers and Costa Rica’s Los Ticos delivered 120 minutes of high-stakes drama at Mexico’s Estadio Universitario BUAP on August 4, 2026, that ultimately ended Haiti’s dream of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup. After a full 90 minutes of regulation and two 15-minute extra time periods ended level at 1-1, Costa Rica held their nerve from the penalty spot, converting all five of their attempts to secure a 5-3 shootout win and a spot in the tournament semifinals.

Under the direction of Cuban head coach Raul Gonzalez Triana, Haiti fielded a familiar 4-4-2 formation with two key adjustments from their previous match. Suspended defender Stanley Volcin returned to the starting lineup following his red card against the United States, while young striker Da-Benz Jacquet earned his first start of the campaign. Haiti’s starting eleven featured goalkeeper Carlos Bré of Real Hope FA, captain Arthur Alcimé (Real Hope FA), Volcin (AS Capoise), Tanis Oracio (AS Capoise), Miguel Joseph (Exafoot), Ramy Fabilus (Real Hope FA), Clavens Exantus (Violette AC), Franco Célestin (Mount Pleasant, Jamaica), Emerson Laissé (Mount Pleasant, Jamaica), Mikenlove Jean Jules (Violette AC), and Jacquet (Aigle Noir AC).

A series of in-match disruptions forced Triana to make several key adjustments throughout the game. Just 13 minutes in, starting goalkeeper Bré suffered an injury that required him to be stretchered off, replaced by substitute S. Volcin. Further substitutions followed in the second half and extra time: J. Charles came on for Fabilus in the 63rd minute, N. Pierre replaced Exantus in the 85th, K. Romulus took over for Jacquet in the 98th, and E. Jean replaced Célestin in the 106th minute.

Haiti got off to a blistering start, taking the lead in just the 9th minute through star striker Clavens Exantus. Surrounded by four Costa Rican defenders just outside the penalty area, Exantus hit a crisp strike that bounced off the crossbar before rippling into the back of the net to put the Grenadiers up 1-0. The score held until the 55th minute, when Costa Rica earned a penalty that Yerlan Sosa converted to level the match at 1-1.

Neither side could find a game-winning goal through the remaining regulation time or the 30 minutes of extra time, forcing the contest to a penalty shootout to decide who would advance and claim the World Cup qualification spot. Costa Rica were flawless from the spot: Sosa, D. Palmer, D. Garro, Y. Leal, and I. O’Rourke all converted their penalties to put up a perfect 5 out of 5 score. For Haiti, N. Pierre, J. Charles, and Miguel Joseph all found the back of the net, but a decisive miss from Marckidens Tanis, whose shot sailed over the crossbar, ended Haiti’s run. The final penalty shootout score read 5-3 in Costa Rica’s favor.

With the victory, Costa Rica moves on to the tournament semifinals, where they will await the winner of the quarterfinal clash between the United States and Guatemala. They have also officially secured their berth to the 2027 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. While Haiti’s campaign comes to an end, the young Grenadiers left the pitch with pride after a hard-fought, memorable performance that kept their World Cup dream alive until the final penalty.

4 8 月, 2026
Over One Million Dollars’ Worth of Cocaine Seized in Barbuda

In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has announced the seizure of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding one million Eastern Caribbean dollars, recovered in two separate finds along Barbuda’s coastline. The operation, which unfolded between August 2 and 3, marks a significant win for local law enforcement in disrupting cross-border smuggling activity in the Eastern Caribbean.

The first discovery was made on August 2, when officers patrolling the area near the Coco Point dock located a sealed package holding 20 vacuum-wrapped parcels. Field testing preliminary identified the white substance inside as cocaine. The following day, a second matching package, also containing 20 vacuum-sealed parcels of the suspected narcotic, was found along the shoreline of Coco Point Beach.

Combined, the two hauls of the controlled substance total 104 pounds, with authorities valuing the street price at EC$1,084,910.00. According to an official media release issued by the force’s Office of Strategic Communications (STRATCOM) on August 4 from the capital St. John’s, law enforcement has launched a full-scale probe into the incident. Investigators are currently following every available lead to trace the origin of the cocaine and bring all individuals involved in the smuggling operation to justice.

4 8 月, 2026
Monier, Babonneau communities say lengthy water disruptions are unbearable

For hundreds of residents across two northern Saint Lucian communities, the most urgent daily question is not about work, family, or plans — it is whether they will have access to enough clean water for the week. Months of inconsistent, sparse water access have pushed frustrated households in Monier and Babonneau to speak out about a long-running crisis that they say has only grown worse in 2026, even as the national water utility promises infrastructure upgrades.

Canice John, a property owner who splits his time between Canada and his Ma Kanna Heights estate in Monier, told reporters that his community has gone without a consistent piped water supply since May. John, who hosts five tenants on his property, explained that households have struggled with water access for years, but recent outages have reached unacceptable levels. His tenants repeatedly reach out to the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), the national utility responsible for public water access, to beg for service — all they ask for is scheduled delivery at least once weekly to refill their residential storage tanks.

The crisis is not limited to Ma Kanna Heights. Neighboring neighborhoods including Monier Terraces face identical daily struggles. While WASCO dispatches water trucks to affected areas, residents say emergency responses are rare, under-resourced, and require constant, demeaning advocacy to even trigger. “Now, every week you have to call and beg, and when they bring the truck, most of the time it’s only a few tanks they can fill,” John explained. “Many of the residents go and complain to the office; nothing seems to be working.”

Interviews with multiple tenants and local residents confirmed that the last continuous water supply the community received coincided with the annual Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival earlier this year. Many also note a puzzling inconsistency: some households in the same neighborhood receive water far more frequently than others, and WASCO has never offered an explanation for the disparity.

Thirty kilometers north in Babonneau, residents have taken to social media to amplify their own frustrations with prolonged water shortages. In the Hill 20 neighborhood, photos show households hiking to a shared community standpipe to carry water back to their homes for daily use. One Babonneau Central resident told St. Lucia Times that his water access is entirely unpredictable, with deliveries coming anywhere from once weekly to once every two weeks. When service does turn on, it only lasts a few hours at most, rarely a full day — too little time to refill storage tanks for the coming weeks.

Chronic water shortages have plagued communities across Saint Lucia for years, with well-documented root causes: aging, worn pipeline infrastructure that has not been fully replaced, and declining annual rainfall tied to shifting regional climate patterns. WASCO has publicly announced several major infrastructure upgrade projects in recent months to address the crisis, including the Theobalds Water Supply Rehabilitation Project, the John Compton Dam Raw Water Pipeline Project, the Patience Water Supply Redevelopment Project, and the Northern Pipeline Project. The utility provided formal progress updates on all four initiatives during a public press conference on July 29.

But for residents of Monier and Babonneau, these large-scale, long-term projects have not translated to tangible relief for their immediate crisis. Community members are calling for greater direct engagement between WASCO leadership and local households, rather than only broad announcements about future upgrades. John, who first raised alarms about Monier’s water crisis with St. Lucia Times earlier this year, put the community’s demand simply: “If we have a problem with the water line in Monier, we want it investigated and for solutions to the problem to be presented.”

St. Lucia Times reached out to WASCO last week to request comment on the specific outages in Monier and Babonneau, and to ask for clarification on what is causing the ongoing service disruptions. As of press time, the company has not issued a response to the outlet’s inquiry.

4 8 月, 2026
UDP Condemns BTL Board’s Approval of SMART Acquisition

On August 4, 2026, Belize’s main opposition political force, the United Democratic Party (UDP), has publicly condemned the board of state-linked telecom provider Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) for greenlighting an 80 million Belize dollar acquisition of competitor Speednet Communications Limited, better known by its brand name SMART.

UDP leader Tracy Taegar-Panton, who made the announcement in a formal statement released Tuesday, says the party is deeply troubled by the board’s decision to push the transaction forward despite widespread demands from across Belize’s political and civil society spheres for full openness, rigorous third-party due diligence, and complete disclosure of every dimension of the deal—from its financial structure to its legal, regulatory and long-term governance impacts on the nation’s telecommunications sector.

Taegar-Panton emphasized that the BTL board’s move outright disregards mounting concerns raised by multiple major national stakeholders, including the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), the UDP itself, and ordinary members of the Belizean public who have questioned the merits of the consolidation.

In her critique, the opposition leader argued that using public funds to acquire what is widely recognized as a strategic national telecommunications asset cannot reasonably proceed when the process is shrouded in ambiguity. Belizean citizens have a right to clear, verifiable answers to critical unanswered questions, she said: whether the 80 million dollar price tag delivers fair value for public money, whether all potential conflicts of interest among decision-makers have been fully identified and resolved, and whether the core interests of taxpayers, everyday telecommunications consumers, and contributors to Belize’s Social Security system have been adequately protected in the terms of the deal.

Beyond its public condemnation, the UDP has announced concrete next steps to challenge the approval: the party will hold an urgent, closed-door meeting with the executive committee of the NTUCB to coordinate a unified response to the proposed acquisition. The party has also issued a formal call to Belize’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the independent regulatory body charged with reviewing sector consolidation, to uphold its mandate by conducting the most thorough level of due diligence and maintaining full public transparency throughout its review process for the merger.

4 8 月, 2026
Maandlange afsluiting Domineestraat zorgt voor enorme verkeerschaos

A full closure of Suriname’s Domineestraat, which kicked off in early August, has immediately triggered severe traffic congestion and widespread disruption across the capital’s inner city. Motorists have been forced to divert onto smaller alternate routes, which quickly became gridlocked at multiple points as traffic volumes overwhelmed the alternate road network.

The closure, which affects the stretch of Domineestraat between Neumanpad and Steenbakkerijstraat, is scheduled to remain in place through September 3, as part of a large-scale street rehabilitation project overseen by Suriname’s Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning (OWRO). Civil construction firm Tjongalanga NV has been contracted to carry out the entire upgrade work. While the full rehabilitation project is set to run through December, this specific section of Domineestraat will remain completely closed to all vehicle traffic for a full 30 days to speed up construction.

In a statement shared via Suriname’s Communication Service, Rianto Wongsoredjo, a representative of Tjongalanga NV, explained that the decision for a full closure was intentional. The entire existing roadway is being demolished to allow for complete replacement of both the road foundation and the underground drainage system. “We are tearing out the entire old road,” Wongsoredjo outlined. “After that, we will build a new foundation using clinkersand and base course, before laying two fresh layers of asphalt.”

As part of the upgrade, new drainage pipes will be installed along both sides of the street, while the aging concrete main drain that currently runs down the center of the road will be fully removed and replaced. The project also includes renovation of the inspection manhole at the intersection of Jodenbreestraat and Domineestraat, alongside the replacement of all street gullies and the re-paving of the road shoulders.

The construction team has encountered unforeseen challenges since work began, Wongsoredjo confirmed. Utility cables and pipelines owned by local public service providers run through the road shoulders at multiple points, requiring careful planning to avoid damage during excavation. Additionally, workers found a layer of clay embedded in the original road foundation. “This clay layer has to be completely removed, because it can cause the road to sink under heavy traffic over time,” Wongsoredjo said. Despite these extra hurdles, he remains confident the project will be completed within the original scheduled timeline.

The contractor ruled out shifting major work to evening and overnight hours as a solution to reduce daytime disruption. Because the main concrete drainage pipe runs directly under the full width of the existing road surface, the entire street must be excavated, leaving it impassable during daytime work even if construction is spread across different shifts. Tjongalanga NV is working closely with three major local utility providers – water company SWM, power firm EBS, and telecommunications provider Telesur – to coordinate work around existing infrastructure and avoid service outages for local residents and businesses.

The Domineestraat rehabilitation is part of a wider national road infrastructure upgrade program across Suriname. Two inner city streets, Watermolenstraat and Van Idsingastraat, have already been completed under the program, with upgrades to Schmeltzweg and the left section of Tout Lui Fautkanaalweg scheduled to follow after the Domineestraat work concludes.

4 8 月, 2026
Dominica becomes first CARICOM country to generate power from Its own geothermal resources

The small Caribbean island nation of Dominica has etched its name in regional energy history, achieving a groundbreaking milestone that sets it apart among CARICOM member states: it is now the first country in the bloc to generate utility-scale electricity from its indigenous geothermal resources, marking a major leap forward in its sweeping national renewable energy transition. This landmark achievement was formally highlighted by the Dominica government during the presentation of the 2026/2027 national budget, as the administration advances toward its ambitious long-term target of powering 100% of the country’s electricity demand through renewable energy sources. As of June 2026, already 68% of all electricity distributed by the Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC) comes from clean renewable sources. Of that share, geothermal energy alone contributes 43% of total national generation, with existing hydroelectric infrastructure adding a further 25% to the clean energy grid. Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre framed the geothermal breakthrough as a transformative, foundational step that will steer the country toward long-term energy sovereignty. “Power from Dominican soil must power Dominican progress,” McIntyre stated emphatically during his budget address, underscoring the link between domestic energy production and national development. After months of rigorous technical evaluations, the new geothermal power plant has successfully completed all required reliability testing and is now on the cusp of launching full commercial operations. Over the first three months of commercial activity, the Independent Regulatory Commission will conduct continuous, comprehensive monitoring of the plant’s operational performance, while also evaluating how the introduction of geothermal power will affect end-consumer electricity prices. To support the integration of the new geothermal generation capacity into the national grid, the Dominica government has also carried out extensive upgrades to the country’s transmission infrastructure. These upgrades include modernization work on key substations located in Padu, Trafalgar and Fond Cole, alongside the installation of approximately 19 kilometers of new high-voltage transmission lines to carry power from the geothermal plant to population centers. Despite the progress already delivered, the administration is already turning its attention to expanding the country’s clean energy footprint beyond the current geothermal project. Government energy officials are currently conducting exploratory assessments of additional geothermal resource prospects across the island, including promising potential sites in northern Dominica. Parallel to this exploration, the government is also investigating technical upgrades to boost the hydroelectric output of the existing Roseau Valley reservoirs. McIntyre emphasized that while geothermal energy will not deliver an immediate elimination of all cost components in consumers’ monthly electricity bills, it will significantly reduce the country’s vulnerability to volatile swings in global fossil fuel prices, a major source of economic instability for many small island developing states that rely heavily on imported fuel for power generation.

4 8 月, 2026
Dominica gov’t defends CBI amid international pressure, but says economy must diversify

Against a backdrop of growing international pressure on citizenship-by-investment (CBI) initiatives worldwide, the Government of Dominica has publicly defended the value of its own CBI programme while openly signaling that economic diversification will be the cornerstone of the island nation’s long-term growth strategy.

Delivering the 2026/2027 Budget Address to parliament on Tuesday, Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre laid out the transformative impact CBI revenues have had on Dominica’s development trajectory over recent years. He emphasized that proceeds from the programme have emerged as a foundational funding source for nearly every critical sector of the country’s public life, including affordable housing for local families, upgraded healthcare facilities, new primary and secondary schools, agricultural development initiatives, expanded road networks, small business support and climate-resilient infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather events.

The importance of CBI funding became particularly acute in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, a catastrophic storm that left total damage and economic losses equivalent to 226 percent of Dominica’s annual gross domestic product. McIntyre explained that when the disaster struck, accumulated CBI funds filled an urgent gap: while the country waited for international external grants and aid to be coordinated and disbursed, CBI revenues allowed the government to immediately restore critical public services and rebuild damaged core infrastructure.

Against this record of tangible progress, McIntyre argued that any fair assessment of Dominica’s recent development cannot ignore the programme’s outsized contributions. “There should be no apology for homes built for Dominican families, for health facilities, schools, roads and resilient communities,” he told lawmakers.

At the same time, the Dominica government does not shy away from acknowledging shifting global attitudes toward investor citizenship programmes. In recent months, operators of these schemes have faced mounting international scrutiny, particularly after the European Union revised its visa-suspension framework, a change that has increased pressure on small island nations running CBI initiatives.

Rather than responding to this new regulatory environment with confrontation, Dominica has committed to a path of collaborative engagement. “We do not dismiss that development or answer it with hostility. We will answer through constructive dialogue,” McIntyre said. The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the highest global standards for the programme, promising to maintain rigorous due diligence checks for all applicants, transparent and accountable administration, strong regulatory oversight, active information sharing and ongoing cooperation with international partners.

Even as it defends the current value of CBI, the administration has made clear that the country cannot rely on the programme to carry its entire economic future. Long-term, the government’s core economic strategy will center on expanding and diversifying the nation’s revenue streams. “No single programme will carry the full weight of our future,” the budget document states. Going forward, assets that have been developed with CBI funding will increasingly be focused on generating sustainable local jobs, expanding exports, cutting national energy costs and creating new streams of ongoing public and private income beyond the initial CBI investment proceeds.

4 8 月, 2026
Grand Kadooment earns high praise, though some say culture took back seat

As the iconic climax of Barbados’ annual Crop Over festival, Grand Kadooment 2026 has emerged as one of the most well-received iterations in recent memory, drawing widespread acclaim for its calm, welcoming atmosphere, high-energy celebrations, and robust attendance from both local residents and international tourists. While the overwhelming majority of attendees and vendors interviewed on-site shared positive feedback about the event’s safety and celebratory energy, a small group of long-time festival goers raised thoughtful concerns about a gradual erosion of the cultural storytelling that has long been a core part of Crop Over’s identity, sparking gentle debate over the event’s evolving nature. For Paul Yearwood, a 53-year-old lifelong supporter of Crop Over, the biggest win of this year’s Grand Kadooment was the complete absence of violent incidents, a source of huge relief following a spike in violent crime recorded earlier in the year. After skipping the past two editions due to safety worries, Yearwood said he was delighted to see large numbers of tourists joining local celebrants, even as financial constraints kept him from participating directly in the parade itself. “There were no problems, I didn’t see any violence, I didn’t see any fights, and I really enjoyed it,” he shared, echoing the sentiment of many attendees who prioritized public safety this year. Vendors along the revised parade route on President Kennedy Drive were similarly enthusiastic about how the day unfolded, with many crediting the route adjustment for boosting foot traffic and improving the overall experience. Renée Cumberbatch, a local street vendor, called the 2026 event a clear success, noting that her sales remained strong throughout the entire day and she was extremely pleased with the revised parade path. Fellow vendor Omar Pooler echoed that praise, highlighting that the positive, well-behaved energy of the crowd created a welcoming environment for everyone in attendance, whether they were native Bajans or visiting from overseas. Pooler said he already is planning to participate again next year, saying “God willing, I’m looking forward to doing it all again.” International first-time attendees were just as glowing in their reviews of the festival. Brittanie Elson and Audrianna Foster, who traveled to Barbados from Canada, said their first Crop Over experience far outshone the carnivals they had attended back home. Elson, who participated in the Monde Mass band with Foster and attended several pre-Kadooment Crop Over events over the weekend, called the event “so fun,” while Foster described the experience as absolutely unforgettable. “The vibes were high, everyone’s jumping and having fun – it’s the best time, the best, best time,” Foster said. Not all feedback centered solely on praise, however. Betty Dalrymple, who has lived outside of Barbados for 40 years, said she remained undecided about the revised parade route, noting that organizers have adjusted the path multiple times in recent years. While she acknowledged that practical concerns should guide route planning, she said she still prefers the original traditional route that started at the National Stadium, if road conditions allow for it. More pointed criticism came from Patricia Yearwood, who focused her concerns on the shifting identity of the festival’s costume design. Yearwood praised veteran costume designers like Henderson Jones, who creates the iconic Betty West costumes that have long centered clear cultural narratives. But she argued that most modern costumes today prioritize revealing designs over the traditional cultural storytelling that once defined Crop Over’s parade. “For me, growing up in Barbados, it used to be something cultural where you depicted a story, a piece of our history,” she explained. “I don’t find it depicts anything anymore.” Despite these scattered concerns about the event’s evolution, the overwhelming consensus among those on the ground was that Grand Kadooment 2026 delivered a fun, safe, memorable finale to the 2026 Crop Over festival, balancing modern popularity with ongoing conversations about preserving its traditional roots.

4 8 月, 2026