It is six days before the opening night of the 35th edition of the Tobago Heritage Festival and Kimmi Potts is over the moon.
Potts, the Tobago Festivals Commission’s Limited’s (TFCL’s) technical production officer, has been putting in long hours on the job within recent weeks, fine-tuning logistics, co-ordinating schedules and energising her team.
And although the pace has been hectic and even overwhelming at times, she’s not complaining.
“While I enjoyed the two years of the alternative virtual heritage festival (owing to the covid19 pandemic), I am very excited to feel the people’s energy once more,” an exuberant Potts, 32, told WMN.
“The heritage festival, by design, is a communal experience that is second to none and so I am ready and eager to immerse myself in the experience once again. I am ready to see both young and old coming together to perform.”
Titled Reflect, Rebirth, Rejoice – Reigniting the Flames of our Legacy, this year’s heritage festival is a truncated version of the usual two-week cultural extravaganza. It features just five community presentations: Plymouth, Moriah, Charlotteville, Pembroke and Les Coteaux.
The launch takes place at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex from 8pm, on July 22.
Potts said she is looking forward to seeing the presentations which she believes best exemplifies Tobago’s cultural identity. These include Pembroke’s Salaka Feast, Moriah’s Ole Time Wedding and the popular Miss Tobago Heritage Personality competition.
[caption id="attachment_965169" align="alignnone" width="683"] Kimmi Potts is looking forward to seeing the presentations at the Tobago Heritage Festival which will be launched on July 22. - MELVERN ISAAC[/caption]
Of the competition, she recalled, “I fell in love with the display of culture through the eyes of pageantry when I was six years old. This prompted me not only to enter the competition, but also to become the first Canaan/Bon Accord delegate to be crowned Miss Heritage Personality in 2009.”
She said she has been a consistent cast member in the festival’s opening night’s gala since 2010 and has performed as a dancer in the Salaka Feast since the age of 13.
Potts, who will be dancing during Friday night’s ceremony, said, “I am happy to be performing again and just genuinely excited to feel the pulse of the people.”
She is equally ecstatic about Tobago hosting its inaugural Carnival from October 28-30, 2022.
“I’m looking forward to being witness to the island coming alive with art, fashion, festivities and seeing Tobago’s identity redefined on the Carnival circuit.”
Potts joked about immersing herself in what she called the “rituals of Carnival” – power naps, “safe” revelling, carpooling, make-up and unique festival wear.
She expressed confidence the Carnival will be a success.
“Indeed, it will be a demonstration that Tobago is the greatest little island on the planet.”
At the festivals commission, Potts is responsible for the technical management and co-ordination of signature events and activities on the island’s cultur
