MORE than a year after the Government lifted its covid19 restrictions, including those on public gatherings, Tobago stakeholders are hoping that this year’s Easter festivities will regain pride of place on the island’s cultural calendar.
The line-up of activities includes time honoured favourites such as the Buccoo Goat and Crab Race Festival and a few new events, which they believe, will attract citizens and tourists alike over the long weekend.
One such event is the Scarborough Fisherman’s Fest, which is being held today (Good Friday), along Milford Road, near to the I Love You Tobago sign.
Organisers are hoping that the inaugural event will help to revitalise the town, which suffered economically during the two years of the pandemic.
Businessman Raphael Ben Yisrael told Newsday, “This is actually about boosting business for the small businessmen who have come on board. So this will be targeting them.”
Ben Yisrael, who conceptualised the idea, is the owner of RI-UP (Raphael Imperial Upliftment) a small contracting company situated just off Gardenside Street.
The businessman observed some of the events held in Scarborough within recent times, such as the February Carnival, were disappointing in terms of crowd support.
But he noted the fireworks display on Independence Day attracted tremendous patronage.
“What I observed in Scarborough for the fireworks is that everybody enjoyed that day and the businesses enjoyed making money with the kind of people that was in town up and around.”
Ben Yisrael said he was encouraged by the turnout on Independence Day and felt that a “new event” could be added to Tobago’s cultural calendar.
[caption id="attachment_1009714" align="alignnone" width="1024"] FILE: A parade signalled the opening of the 94th annual Goat and Crab Race Festival in Buccoo in 2019. - DAVID REID[/caption]
He said today’s event, held in conjunction with the All Tobago Fisherfolk Association (ATFA), will not follow the usual “fisherman fete” format.
“We will have a fishing tournament, a well-stocked bar, food and music. But we have decided to add a little flavour to the event.”
It will feature a five-kilometre race from Crown Point to Scarborough and all-fours, chess, arm wrestling and greasy pole competitions. There will also be a bouncy castle and other games for children.
Ben Yisrael added the Tobago AgriBusiness Development Company Ltd will also be preparing fish broth for the event.
“We will be catering for a wide cross section of Trinidad and Tobago because Easter is a time when a lot of foreigners and Trinis are on the island.”
In terms of the fishing competition, Ben Yisrael said individual prizes will be awarded for the most unique, fastest and largest catch.
He urged people to turn out in their numbers to support the event.
ATFA president Curtis Douglas applauded the ground-breaking venture.
He said when people visit Tobago this weekend, they are guaranteed “a
