St. Lucia Government assures that “Mas On The Square” will take place.

The Government of Saint Lucia is assuring all Saint Lucians and visitors that the traditional Pre-Carnival event at the Derek Walcott Square will take place this year. The main organizers of the event over the years popularly known as “Mas on the Square”, Helen Television System announced on Friday, July 9^th, 2010 that this year’s event will be scrapped due to poor response from Private Sector sponsors.

As a result of this announcement, Government has been approached by private parties who were concerned of the impact that the non staging of the Pre-Carnival event would have on the Carnival atmosphere and product. In order to safeguard the quality and image of the Carnival product, the Government of Saint Lucia through the Cultural Development Foundation and the Saint Lucian Home Coming 2010 Secretariat has decided to collaborate with Lucian Mas Events  in staging the popular Pre-Carnival entertainment event at Derek Walcott Square. This year’s event under the new management arrangement will be called: “Home Coming Mas Jam”.

Home Coming Mas Jam is so labeled to create a direct link with Saint Lucian Home Coming 2010, which will be staged for a two week period from July 16^th to August 1^st, 2010. Hundred of Saint Lucians are expected to converge on the island to participate both in Carnival and Home Coming 2010 activities.

The activities for Home Coming Mas Jam will include performances by major entertainers like: Ricky T, Alpha, Q-Pid, Ila Man, Superman HD, DJ HP and many others. Home Coming Mas Jam promises to be a major cultural and entertainment spectacle which will help to add spice and flavor to “Lucian Carnival 2010”. Prime Minister Stephenson King who returned to the island over the weekend has committed his personal support to ensure the success of what has become a tradition for Carnival lovers – Saint Lucians and visitors alike. Home Coming Mas Jam will be staged at the Derek Walcott Square on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, July 13^th, 14^th, 15^th and 17^th, 2010.

The detailed schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 13^th, 2010  -  6:00 to 11:00 pm.
• Wednesday, July 14^th, 2010  -  12:00 noon to 3:00 pm and 6:30 to 11:00 pm.
• Thursday, July 15^th, 2010  -  12:00 noon to 3:00 pm and 6:30 to 11:00 pm; and
• Saturday, July 17^th, 2010  -  10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

A special meeting involving representatives of the Cultural Development Foundation, the Home Coming Secretariat, Lucian Mas Events and the Office of the Prime Minister, has been scheduled for Monday, July 12^th, 2010 to finalize arrangements for this event. The planning committee is determined to ensure that Home Coming Mas Jam is delivered as a high quality product. Guided by the Saint Lucian Home Coming 2010 theme: “Tout Sent Lisyen se Yonn”, Home Coming Mas Jam will be executed as a successful and enjoyable mas on the square, 2010.