Acting Prime Minister Stuart Young says he’s happy at the level of energy and positivity the country has seen in the lead-up to Carnival 2025.
That positive energy was also evident yesterday, as thousands of masqueraders, onlookers and spectators flooded the streets to celebrate Carnival Monday.
Young was giving his views on yesterday’s Carnival celebration at South Quay, Port-of-Spain, which was one of the judging points for Carnival bands.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Young said Carnival 2025 has been filled with a lot of positive energy which is part of T&T’s culture.
First, he congratulated Pan Trinbago for a successful 2025 Panorama finals held at the Queen’s Park Savannah last Saturday.
He said Sunday’s Dimanche Gras show also ended positively while yesterday’s J’Ouvert celebrations across the country went well.
“It has all gone well. Let’s hope that it stays that way until the end of Carnival. I am very happy at the level of energy and positivity. And these are some of the things that make us so special and unique in T&T.”
But, yesterday, downtown food and beverage vendors described their sales as the worst they have seen in years. Along South Quay beverage vendor Betty Ann Jackson of 3 J’s Production said her sales for J’Ouvert were poor.
“Look, it’s lunchtime and three big bands just passed by and I barely got any drinks sold. This year’s Carnival has been the worst I have seen.”
Jackson said last year, sales were a little better.
“I am hoping things improve tomorrow. It’s frustrating.”
Next to Jackson, elderly vendor Dianne Stewart was also despondent by the slow trickle of sales.
“Last year’s sales were much better. I don’t know why people have not been buying. I don’t know if things will pick up later.”
Vendor Alicia Garcia just shook her head in disbelief as there were few buyers even though she had a prime location peddling food items and cold drinks.
This was Garcia’s first time selling for Carnival.
She never expected that sales would have been stagnant.
“The bands going up South Quay. They are not turning off on Broadway so there is nobody here to buy. I wasn’t expecting this. I am just praying for some positivity. This is upsetting.”
Next to Garcia, vendor Mikey George said he spent $2,300 for his licence and two spots on Broadway for five days.
“The place is just dead. People are not coming out like before. Tomorrow I will know ... On Carnival Tuesday more people would come out ... so I am hoping things improve.”
He said this was the third year in a row sales have been down.
“J’Ouvert this year was the worst. There were few buyers.”
George said for Kiddies Carnival he made more money selling his cold drinks.