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  • Kadooment vendors chase festival profits

    Kadooment vendors chase festival profits

    When thousands of revellers and spectators flooded the streets for Grand Kadooment 2026, the parade route transformed into a bustling open-air food market, where local and visiting food vendors offered attendees a diverse spread of beloved Caribbean and regional culinary staples. From savoury fried fishcakes and juicy grilled burgers to hearty warming soups and ice-cold refreshing beverages, vendors worked nonstop to meet the steady demand from crowds gathered to watch the vibrant, colourful festival procession unfold.

    One of the first vendors to set up and start serving for the day was Elijah Tafari, chef and founder of Rubes Extraordinary Fishcakes, a well-known local eatery that has built a loyal following across Barbados. Tafari was at his fryer by early dawn, prepping batter and cooking fresh batches of his signature product to serve the steady stream of early arriving festival-goers. Speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY from his stall on Pelican Island, Tafari shared the secret behind his brand’s decade-long success: his commitment to authentic, filling fishcakes packed with actual fish, which stands as the business’s flagship offering. “Fishcakes are our core product, seven days a week. We offer other items between our main preparation – ham cutters, steakfish sandwiches, and weekly chicken soup on Wednesdays – but we would never open for business without our signature fishcakes ready to serve,” he explained. Now 11 years into running his business, which Tafari launched from a small spot in Collymore Rock, this Grand Kadooment marked his third time participating as an official parade route vendor. With business moving at a steady, strong pace, he shared that he was already pleased with how the day was going, and joked confidently about his product’s superiority over competing vendors: “We take first, second and third place, we leave the rest of the competition to fight for the spots after that.”

    Further down the parade route in the Eagle Hall neighbourhood, first-time Grand Kadooment vendor Shane Thomas, a Jamaican cuisine specialist, called out cheerfully to passing crowds, inviting attendees to sample his signature pigtail red soup. Starting his day at 7 a.m., Thomas has leaned into the authentic roots of his dish, which is made with traditional red peas, slow-cooked pigtail, fresh okra, and creamy coconut milk to deliver an authentic taste of Jamaican street food to festival-goers. “Hot ready red soup, yard man style, good for man, woman and child – everything is fresh and clean, come stop by for a bite,” his call went out to passersby. By midday, Thomas reported that business had exceeded his expectations, and he already confirmed his plans to return as a vendor for Grand Kadooment in 2027, saying simply: “I won’t leave next year.”

    Not all vendors experienced the same level of success, however. Collis King, who set up his burger and hot dog stall directly opposite the Eagle Hall Library – a spot where hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the parade bands pass – said that business had been far slower than he anticipated. King has been set up since 9 a.m. selling burgers, hot dogs, and cold beverages, and shared that his decision to return for the 2027 festival will depend entirely on whether he can turn a profit by the end of the day.

    Across the entire parade route, vendors offered a wide range of treats beyond signature dishes, including fried chicken, additional fishcake options, popcorn, assorted packaged snacks, and a variety of cold beverages to keep attendees cool through the day. To protect public health, local health inspectors also made regular rounds throughout the event, conducting unannounced spot checks to confirm that all vendors were following required food safety and handling standards. This routine monitoring ensured that festival-goers could enjoy their meals without unnecessary health risks during the day-long celebration.

  • Government Moves to Rename DFC as Development Bank of Belize

    Government Moves to Rename DFC as Development Bank of Belize

    In a parliamentary debate held on August 3, 2026, the government of Belize introduced a proposal to rebrand the country’s 63-year-old Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as the Development Bank of Belize, framing the name change as a foundational step to revitalize the institution and expand its role in driving national development. The initiative, however, quickly devolved into a heated public exchange between opposition lawmaker Lee Mark Chang and Prime Minister John Briceño, drawing attention to unresolved questions about the DFC’s controversial history.

    Chang, the area representative for Mesopotamia, pushed back against the proposal, arguing that a superficial name change cannot erase past scandals and mismanagement linked to the long-standing financial institution. He challenged the government to be transparent about the motivations behind the sudden rebranding, noting that the move appears aimed at shedding the DFC’s damaged reputation rather than addressing underlying systemic issues. “We have to look back to what happened in the past to understand why this name change is being pushed forward right now,” Chang stated during the debate, rejecting the government’s framing of the change as a simple administrative adjustment.

    Briceño defended the proposal, emphasizing that the legislative session was only tasked with approving the name change itself, not reopening debates about the DFC’s history. The exchange quickly turned personal when Briceño attempted to dismiss Chang’s questioning, suggesting the lawmaker’s judgment was clouded by heavy medication following a recent surgery. The comment drew an immediate point of order from Chang, who denied he has remained on medication since the second day of his procedure and accused the prime minister of improperly discrediting his arguments by implying he was unfit to deliberate.

    Briceño doubled down on the personal jab in follow-up remarks, reiterating his claim that Chang struggles with clear reasoning without medication, further escalating tensions on the parliamentary floor. Founded in 1963, the DFC has operated under its original name for more than six decades, and the rebranding proposal represents one of the most significant changes to the institution in its modern history. While the government positions the name change as part of a broader push to strengthen Belize’s development finance infrastructure, critics like Chang argue that the government is avoiding accountability for past missteps by focusing on a rebrand rather than substantive reform.

    This report is adapted from a transcribed broadcast of evening television news in Belize.

  • Sex Offenders Registry Bill Gets Broad Support in the House

    Sex Offenders Registry Bill Gets Broad Support in the House

    Nearly half a year of public and legislative debate has culminated in a pivotal step for Belize’s criminal justice reform, as a bill to open the country’s National Sex Offenders Registry to public access has advanced to floor debate in the nation’s National Assembly.

    The Criminal Code Amendment Bill, which would codify the public registry framework, underwent its second reading in the House of Representatives on Friday, August 3, 2026, and earned widespread backing from across the legislative chamber. Despite this broad consensus on the core goal of increasing public transparency and community safety, leading opposition figures have pushed for greater accountability around the supporting systems needed to make the new law effective.

    Opposition Leader Tracy Panton emphasized that the debate over the registry must not end with approving public access. In remarks to the House, Panton confirmed that the opposition bloc would support the legislation, but pressed the ruling government to confirm that sufficient resources and infrastructure are in place to serve victims, who stand as the primary beneficiaries of the reform.

    Panton outlined a range of unaddressed needs, including a sufficiently trained corps of investigators, upgraded forensic testing capacity, expanded and fully funded victim support services, dedicated counseling staff, safe emergency shelters for survivors, sustained DNA testing capabilities, and specialized prosecutors trained to handle sexual offense cases. She noted that without these critical supporting structures, a standalone law amounts to little more than an unenforceable policy suggestion.

    “Laws without having the level of support necessary for operationalizing and protecting the primary beneficiaries of this act is really a mere suggestion,” Panton told the chamber, echoing concerns raised by fellow legislator representing Orange Walk East.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca, responding to Panton’s remarks, acknowledged the validity of her concerns. He confirmed that multiple government ministries and a wide range of stakeholders have been involved in crafting the bill from its earliest stages, and all parties have recognized the urgent need for supporting infrastructure to give the law tangible impact.

    “She is absolutely right, the resources, support infrastructure is important to giving teeth, meaning to these bills,” Fonseca said. “I know that there are a number of ministries that have been engaged in this work, in putting this bill together, a great number of stake holders and I think everybody has recognized that point and pledged their support to making sure we don’t only have the legislation in place but also to provide the supporting infrastructure.”

    Beyond legislative circles, the proposed amendment has also garnered broad approval from members of the Belizean public, who have repeatedly called for greater transparency around sex offender residency and conviction data to protect local communities. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process, with commitments from all parties to address implementation gaps before it takes effect.

  • Youth Cadets March Forward After Week of Training and Teamwork

    Youth Cadets March Forward After Week of Training and Teamwork

    DANGRIGA, Belize – August 3, 2026 – One of Belize’s longest-running youth development initiatives has wrapped up its 2026 iteration, bringing together nearly 300 young people from across the nation for a week of immersive training, collaborative team building, and values-based learning.

    The 27th National Police Youth Cadet Corps Summer Camp ran from July 25 to August 1 in Dangriga Town, carrying forward a decades-long mission to nurture responsible, service-focused young leaders for the country. Unlike traditional training camps that focus solely on discipline and drills, this annual program prioritizes building transferable life skills: from public confidence and collaborative problem-solving to intentional leadership and a deepened commitment to community and national service.

    This year’s gathering brought 279 cadets together with 80 instructors, a mix of active police officers from across Belize and civilian community volunteers. Under the 2026 theme “Command with Honor, Inspire Action, Teaching Young Minds for a Successful Tomorrow,” participants engaged in a packed, diverse schedule that extended far beyond basic drills. The week included structured leadership development workshops, educational sessions on civic responsibility, inter-region competitive sports, cultural exchange activities, and organized community service projects that gave cadets hands-on experience giving back to their host community.

    In a formal statement following the camp’s conclusion, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, Staff Officer for the initiative, outlined the program’s key outcomes. Alongside core training activities, cadets took part in promotional competency examinations and inter-regional competitions. A total of 69 cadets successfully earned promotions through the program’s ranking structure, recognizing their growth in skill and leadership over the week. In the competitive events, the Northern Region claimed top honors in both football and foot drill, while the Eastern Region took first place in the basketball and volleyball tournaments.

    The week-long program closed with a formal award ceremony honoring top-performing cadets and teams, followed by a celebratory public parade through the streets of Dangriga that showcased the cadets’ new skills and discipline to local residents. Smith emphasized that the camp reaffirms the Belize Police Department’s long-standing commitment to nurturing the next generation of Belizeans, prioritizing the development of disciplined, responsible, and community-oriented young leaders. She also extended gratitude to the department’s Community Policing Unit and all local community partners who donated time, resources, and support to make the 2026 camp a success.

    As a signature youth development program run by the Belize Police Department, the annual summer camp continues to serve as a critical pipeline for building civic engagement and leadership capacity among young Belizeans, now in its 27th year of shaping the country’s future leaders.

  • Inspector Ester Cal Graduates Valedictorian in Regional Police Course

    Inspector Ester Cal Graduates Valedictorian in Regional Police Course

    In a milestone achievement that highlights both individual excellence and growing regional cooperation in Caribbean law enforcement, Belize Police Inspector Ester Cal has graduated as valedictorian of the 2026 inaugural Junior Officers’ Course hosted by the Guyana Police Force Academy. The intensive two-month training program brought together 31 law enforcement and security professionals from 10 Caribbean nations, all gathered to sharpen leadership skills, boost professional capabilities, and strengthen collaborative ties across the region.

    Cal not only claimed the top graduating honor but also shared the prestigious Best Academic Paper Award with Assistant Superintendent Chatram of the Guyana Police Force, a dual recognition that underscores her exceptional academic and practical performance throughout the course.

    As Deputy Commander of the Belize Police Department’s Mobile Interdiction Unit, Cal’s success is being celebrated as more than a personal win. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, a staff officer with the Belize Police Department, emphasized that the achievement reflects both Cal’s unwavering commitment to ongoing professional development and Belize’s expanding role as a respected leader in regional public safety.

    In an official statement released following the graduation, the Belize Police Department and the Ministry of Home Affairs extended formal congratulations to Cal. Officials noted that her outstanding performance showcases the professionalism, dedication, and commitment to excellence that define Belize’s law enforcement community, while bringing national pride to the small Central American nation on the Caribbean regional stage.

    This accomplishment comes as Caribbean law enforcement agencies increasingly prioritize joint training and cross-border collaboration to address shared transnational security challenges, from organized crime to illicit trafficking. Regional training programs like the Junior Officers’ Course are designed to build a unified, skilled network of law enforcement leaders equipped to tackle these complex issues across national borders.

  • Art Becomes a Call to Protect Placencia Lagoon

    Art Becomes a Call to Protect Placencia Lagoon

    Nestled along the southern coast of Belize, the waters of Placencia Lagoon have been the quiet backbone of local livelihoods for generations. For small-scale fishermen, it provides daily catches to feed their families; for tour guides and local tourism operators, it draws visitors eager to experience its rich mangrove ecosystems and unique marine wildlife; for generations of residents, it has been a gathering space for recreation and cultural connection. But today, this vital coastal ecosystem faces growing pressures that threaten both its ecological health and the communities that depend on it, prompting a creative new approach to conservation that centers local voices. On August 3, 2026, residents of Independence Village unveiled a large, community-created mural on the village shore, marking the official launch of a new public awareness campaign to protect the iconic lagoon.

    The campaign is a collaborative effort between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Belize’s Southern Environmental Association (SEA), tied to the broader Reef Guard Project: Sustaining Life and Livelihoods initiative. This project works to strengthen management of four key marine protected areas across southern Belize, including South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, and Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. Unlike top-down conservation campaigns that often exclude local input, this effort centers the experiences and needs of communities that have lived alongside the lagoon for decades.

    Abigail Parham Garbutt, a marine conservation officer with WWF, explained that the mural project is the first step of the new communications campaign, with more public art installations planned for other communities bordering the lagoon, including Placencia and Stann Creek. “These murals are meant to capture the layered history of how people have interacted with this lagoon, from generations past to the present day,” Garbutt said. “They hold the personal memories and lived livelihoods that tie this community to the water, and make clear just how critical this ecosystem is to everyone who lives here.”

    Unlike many conservation efforts that frame protection as separate from community needs, the Placencia Lagoon campaign works to strike a balance between ecological health and economic survival, emphasizing that successful long-term conservation cannot leave behind the people who depend on the lagoon’s resources. Community liaison Diego Lozano, based in Independence Village, notes that local buy-in is the foundation of any effective protection effort. “So many different people rely on this lagoon every single day: tour guides earning a living, small-scale fishermen bringing food home to their families, residents coming here to relax and recreate,” Lozano explained. “That’s why we need to protect it, but we have to do it in a way that respects all of these needs and finds a sustainable balance.”

    The threats facing the lagoon are multi-fold, according to conservation leaders. Calvin Gonzales, senior project manager at SEA, outlined the key challenges threatening the ecosystem: unsustainable and illegal fishing practices, including both local and transboundary illegal fishing, harvesting of undersized or out-of-season marine life, unregulated coastal development, and the global pressure of climate change, which has driven coral bleaching across Belize’s reef systems that are connected to the lagoon. Gonzales added that lasting protection will require both stronger enforcement of existing conservation rules and ongoing scientific monitoring to track ecosystem health over time.

    The Independence Village mural was painted collectively by more than 20 community members, ranging from local school children to professional conservationists, overseen by local artist Anton Leslie. Leslie explained that the design draws directly from the real experiences of people who live in the village, rather than a generic vision of coastal nature. The work depicts the lush mangrove habitats that form the foundation of the lagoon’s food web, alongside iconic local touches: the Hokie Pokie water taxi that serves the village, native manatees that frequent the lagoon’s shallow waters, and a child climbing through mangrove roots, capturing the intergenerational connection local people have to the ecosystem. “It covers all the different parts of life that happen here in this lagoon habitat,” Leslie said.

    This first mural is just the opening step of the wider campaign, which aims to build a grassroots, community-led movement for conservation across the Placencia Lagoon region. By turning personal stories and lived connection into public art, organizers hope to inspire more local residents to join protection efforts and build widespread public support for policies that will safeguard the lagoon for future generations. The event was covered by News Five’s Britney Gordon on location in Independence Village.

  • Kadooment delivers spectacular start

    Kadooment delivers spectacular start

    A short hold-up at the opening of the 2026 Flow 5G+ Grand Kadooment did nothing to dim the electric excitement of attendees packed along the route to witness one of Barbados’ most beloved cultural celebrations. As masqueraders, performers, and spectators filled Princess Alice Highway, the day officially got underway at 8:40 a.m. when the stirring strains of Barbados’ National Anthem filled the air, drawing a respectful hush over the crowd.

    Moments after the anthem concluded, Walk Holy Band stepped forward as the first of 22 planned processions, opening the event with a soulful, spirited performance that set a tone of joyous reverence, asking for divine blessing over the day’s festivities. Right on their heels came Blue Box Cart and Salt, whose dazzling presentation delivered a thoughtful, artful tribute to the Barbados Landship, honoring and preserving one of the island nation’s most treasured cultural traditions. The high-octane masqueraders of Krave then took the spotlight, raising the energy for the gathered onlookers.

    One of the standout moments for captivated attendees was the long-awaited return of the iconic King and Queen costume display. Curated by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Large Mas Costumes and paired with the rhythmic, soulful melodies of the Drummers Federation, the showcase was a visual feast for every person in attendance. Intricately crafted pieces including *Keeper of the Canes*, *Queen of Crop Over*, and *Mr Harding’s Fiery March* stirred nostalgia among long-time festival-goers, who recalled decades of Grand Kadooment parades led by these majestic regal displays.

    Boasting more than 1,000 masqueraders, Vida by Esquire was the largest procession of the day, dominating the route as a sprawling, vivid sea of color divided into six elaborately designed sections. The massive contingent took nearly 10 minutes to pass the judges’ pavilion before continuing its rhythmic procession toward Mighty Grynner Highway.

    Through the early morning, brief gaps between processions left spectators waiting for the next performance, with several minutes often passing between bands arriving at the judging stage. Explaining the minor delays, NCF Festival and Events Planner Stacia Bryan noted the pauses were primarily caused by revellers putting the final touches on their looks before heading to the route.

    “You know us ladies, we like to make sure that the make-up is on and the eyelashes are on. We realised that the bands will be a little bit delayed because y’all still at home putting on the finery to come and jump because it has shifted because people like to play Pretty Mas and want to be on Instagram and social media pages and we love that because it will help to promote the festival,” Bryan told Barbados TODAY shortly after noon. She added that despite the gaps, the event had progressed smoothly, confirming that half of all registered bands had already completed the judging segment, with strong momentum continuing through the day.

    “I am very pleased with the productions. Everything has been moving smoothly along the streets. All of the water stations are in place. The revellers are well hydrated, the music trucks are moving and comfortable because the police and the BDF are on the ground to make sure we have a safe Grand Kadooment,” Bryan said.

    As the midday sun climbed, bringing sweltering temperatures that matched the intensity of the performances, attendees sought relief from the heat from local vendors, with lines forming at sno-cone carts for a quick cool-down. Both spectators and masqueraders were spotted clutching portable fans and full water bottles, determined not to let the heat cut into their celebration.

    Through the afternoon, the stage became a dazzling blur of feathers, hand-sewn beads, and shimmering sequins, as elaborate costumes from troupes including Aura, Colorz Entertainment, Haus of Mas, and Mondé Mas left judges and onlookers mesmerized. One particularly standout piece, Carla Gittens’ *The Echo of Legends* worn by Zahira Bayley, drew gasps from the crowd for its intricate design and cultural resonance.

    Veteran bandleader Betty West delivered one of the day’s most moving presentations, leading her 158-member small band in a heartfelt tribute to fallen Grand Kadooment legends, including Winston Jones, Renee Ratcliff, Gwyneth Squires, Roseann Lewis, and Reggie Cave. Her performance highlighted the immeasurable contributions these icons made to shape the festival into the world-renowned cultural event it is today.

    The formal judging segment came to a spectacular close just after 1 p.m., when the final procession, Fifth Element, crossed the stage. With official proceedings complete, revellers fully embraced the festive spirit, winding, dancing, and chipping their way along the route to Mighty Grynner Highway for the iconic main jump-up celebration that closes out the annual festival.

  • Simons: Meer tijd nodig om schade te herstellen

    Simons: Meer tijd nodig om schade te herstellen

    One year after taking office, Suriname’s President Jenny Simons delivered a frank progress update to reporters during a Monday press conference, acknowledging the slow pace of national recovery while outlining upcoming policy changes to tackle long-running systemic challenges.

    Addressing public expectations for rapid change, Simons noted that repairing decades of damage accumulated over five years cannot be completed in just 12 months. She emphasized that at least a two-year transition period is required to put the country on a stable path, but added that the government cannot indefinitely claim limited financial resources as a barrier to action.

    A core priority of the Simons administration remains reforming the country’s tax system, with five major tax reform bills currently under review by the National Assembly. Simons singled out unregulated gold mining, both legal and illegal, as a key area where the nation has failed to capture fair economic benefits. She admitted that fixing issues in the gold sector is far from straightforward, and the existing Gold Sector Ordering Commission has not delivered the results the government expected. To address this gap, the administration plans to establish a dedicated national gold authority, with draft enabling legislation expected to be submitted to parliament by the fourth quarter of the year.

    Simons also drew attention to the severe environmental and public health harms caused by unregulated gold extraction, pointing out that toxic chemicals including cyanide and mercury have flowed into the country’s ecosystems unimpeded for years, with the problem growing progressively worse. She stressed that a turning point is urgently needed, and the government is drafting new legislation to push the sector toward less harmful, more sustainable extraction methods. “This is a path we will pursue with full seriousness,” Simons said.

    The president highlighted an ongoing acute environmental crisis in the community of Pikin Saron and surrounding areas, where toxic pollutants have contaminated the Saramacca River. Initial investigations point to a leak from a local gold mining operation, possibly linked to local miner Grassalco or a Chinese mining firm operating in the region. Simons confirmed that investigative agencies have been ordered to deliver a full report with clear findings within two weeks.

    Looking back on the first year of her administration, Simons said the national recovery phase is now underway. More than 50 corruption and misconduct cases have been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service, and state-owned enterprises have now been restructured with new executive boards tasked with stabilizing operations and driving long-term growth.

    The president did not shy away from acknowledging setbacks. “Not everything we set out to do has been accomplished,” she said, noting that not all missing state vehicles have been recovered to date. Despite these challenges, public works and green space agencies have made progress on infrastructure repairs, the education sector has launched school renovation projects, and policymakers are working to address systemic flaws in the education system, including the persistent national shortage of qualified teachers.

    Looking ahead, Simons announced that the government’s temporary fuel price cap, implemented to protect households from rising energy costs, cannot remain in place indefinitely. The measure currently costs the government 350 million Surinamese dollars per month to maintain, and will be phased out in the coming period. Simons did not provide a specific timeline or details on how the phase-out will be implemented, but confirmed that the government plans to introduce a moderate increase in civil servants’ salaries to offset upcoming cost of living adjustments.

  • Roadside snackettes to be relocated to new Zeelugt market

    Roadside snackettes to be relocated to new Zeelugt market

    On Monday, August 3, 2026, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali outlined sweeping community improvement plans under the government’s new model villages initiative during two public consultations held in Zeelugt, West Coast Demerara and Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, promising transformative upgrades to quality of life for residents across Region Three.

    During a meeting at Zeelugt Primary School, President Ali confirmed that the village’s popular but hazardous roadside snackettes – small food vendors that currently operate directly along the main public thoroughfare – will be relocated to a purpose-built new public market. The new facility will feature a dedicated section for these vendors, alongside a clean, safe, hygienic, and visitor-friendly food court designed to draw local patrons and tourists alike. Complementing the market development, the government has a large-scale waterfront regeneration project in the works that will add a public park and dedicated event spaces designed to host community gatherings without disrupting residential areas. Beyond food vendors, the plan also calls for consolidating spray-painting workshops, mechanic garages and other similar businesses into a single zoned location that minimizes noise, traffic and pollution impacts on nearby residential neighborhoods.

    For Tuschen, located across the Essequibo River on the East Bank, the government plans to build a dedicated centralized logistics hub that will serve as a large-scale truck parking lot to remove heavy commercial vehicles from residential streets. Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, a Tuschen resident himself, detailed the breadth of infrastructure upgrades planned for the community: 89 kilometers of newly expanded, deep concrete drains that will double as water reservoirs to address flooding and water storage needs; reinforced road shoulders for all two-lane routes; pre-installed ducts for future utility service expansions; and a new bypass road connecting Tuschen to Windsor Forest that will redirect through traffic away from the village’s crowded residential core.

    A centerpiece of the Tuschen upgrade is a GY$1.5 billion, 32,000 square-foot modern public market to be constructed at the rear of the village. Indar emphasized that the new facility will replace the informal, makeshift pallet-built stalls that currently serve vendors, raising community living and commercial standards long-term. Additional public safety and infrastructure upgrades include 168 new security cameras to support local law enforcement in crime reduction, the installation of new fire hydrants for improved emergency response, and 1,500 new street lights to boost nighttime safety and visibility. Maintenance of the upgraded community spaces will fall jointly to the Region Three administration and the Ministry of Local Government, Indar confirmed.

    Housing Minister Collin Croal added clear expectations for community standards under the model villages initiative, stating that the government will not allow ongoing issues including derelict vehicles abandoned on public land, unregulated improper garbage disposal, long-term open storage of construction materials on public rights-of-way, and poorly maintained drainage systems that contribute to flooding. President Ali framed the model villages project as a holistic effort to improve resident quality of life, addressing not just physical infrastructure but also social cohesion, environmental cleanliness, and noise pollution reduction. “The quality of life that we experience in the community depends on the quality of our values, our culture, the way we treat the environment, the way we dump our garbage and the way in which we look out for each other,” he told attendees.

  • NCF declares Crop Over 2026 a success

    NCF declares Crop Over 2026 a success

    Barbados’ iconic annual Crop Over festival has wrapped its 2026 season to widespread acclaim, with National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Chairman Dr. Jasmine Babb declaring the celebration an unqualified success that demonstrated enduring public passion for the island’s cultural heritage.

    Speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY, Babb highlighted record turnout across the festival’s full slate of events, from the highly anticipated Pic-O-De-Crop Finals to the high-energy Pandemonium showcase and family-focused Junior Kadooment. Every ticketed fete and public gathering sold out completely, she confirmed, with even spontaneous vendor participation far exceeding expectations. “All of the fetes and all of the events have been sold out. The Pic-O-De-Crop final was absolutely full. We also had Pandemonium which was well attended and Junior Kadooment. Everything was well attended, and everybody is coming out including the vendors. All in all this year has been an excellent year,” Babb stated.

    The 2026 season faced one unexpected logistical hurdle, however: the need to relocate the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals just weeks before the event, after Kensington Oval – the competition’s traditional home – was booked to host the state funeral of Barbados’ beloved National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers. Organizers first moved the finals to CARIFESTA Island, but after consulting with participating performers, the event was shifted to the more spacious, scenic National Botanical Gardens. The last-minute change proved to be a hit with attendees, and the event went off without a hitch. “In the end, we came to an agreement among the parties and that event went excellently,” Babb added.

    As the festival heads into its final stretch, all attention is now turning to Tuesday’s Cohobblopot, a historic cultural showcase returning to the Crop Over calendar after more than 10 years off the lineup. Like the repositioned Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, the revived event will also be hosted at the National Botanical Gardens. This revival marks a deliberate effort to reconnect with Crop Over’s roots while reimagining the celebration for a new generation. Traditionally held on the Sunday before the headline Grand Kadooment parade, Cohobblopot has long been a core part of Crop Over, blending theatrical performance, elaborate traditional costume displays, and live music into a one-of-a-kind cultural showcase. For this year’s revival, organizers are bringing back rare heritage costumes, with plans to expand the showcase further in the 2027 festival.

    Minister of State Shane Archer, who oversees youth and cultural policy in the Prime Minister’s Office, originally announced the event’s return earlier this year, framing it as a balancing act: creating an engaging, contemporary experience for younger attendees while evoking nostalgic memories for long-time Crop Over fans who enjoyed the event in past decades.

    Beyond attendance and programming, NCF festival organizers credited on-the-ground partners with keeping the 2026 season safe and running smoothly. NCF Festival and Events Planner Stacia Bryan singled out the island’s security services for particular praise, noting that the entire festival remained largely incident-free thanks to early, coordinated planning. “We worked very early this year with the team from The Barbados Police Service and we have a new commissioner and have also been working with Assistant Commissioner Christine Stanford. She is amazing and has worked with us for about three to four Crop-Overs, so we have a well-oiled machine happening. The Barbados Defence Force — thank you to Brigadier Carlos Lovell and all the support we get,” Bryan said. She also extended gratitude to the Barbados Water Authority for installing critical hydration stations along the Grand Kadooment parade route, ensuring attendees stayed cool and safe through the day’s celebrations.