Carnival queen to represent Dominica in 5th annual Caribbean Culture Pageant

The 5^th Annual Miss Caribbean Culture Pageant, designed to showcase  true Caribbean beauty, intelligence and talent and foster  regional integration, is expected to be a superb event this year. According to Pageant Organizer, Ms. Hazel Francis the event which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday July 27^th will celebrate the diversity of our Caribbean region.

To date, eight out of the 10 countries have indicated their interest in the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant and have confirmed their registration documents to participate.  She said the show is one to look out for and would impact the audience positively.

The eight delegates are, Masinda Nisbett representing host country Nevis, Lanein Blanchette representing sister island St. Kitts, Sangrena Harris representing Anguilla, Sharlene Lindsay for Montserrat, Marcellina Ventura for St. Croix, Keda Lou-Ann Pascal representing Trinidad and Tobago, Tanika Walton-Barbados and Marcia Baptiste representing Dominica. Antigua and St. Lucia are expected to confirm participation by mid June.

She disclosed that the Pageant will be staged under the theme, “Embracing a Fusion of Caribbean Culture,” and the theme was chosen because the organising committee believes that the Caribbean is a melting pot of traditions, customs, folklore and our Caribbean beauties can bring these to the fore as they perform ambassadorial duties  as representatives of the various countries.  Emphasis will also be placed on talent and beauty with a holistic approach to fulfil the role of Miss Caribbean Culture.

In highlighting the different segments for the show, Ms. Francis revealed that an opening number will set the night on fire as contestants unwind and prepare the audience for what’s in store.  This will be followed with a brief introductory speech presented in an ambassadorial wear, followed by the most anticipated and sort after segment., the swim suit competition where the contestants will show off their well-toned and lean physique. The talent segment which stimulates the audience  will follow shortly and capping the event would be the evening wear and interview.

The Committee will be adding a new feature to the show which is packed with a number of top class entertainment acts. According to Ms. Francis, the line up includes Tempo and Music Festival performer – Kittitian star, “Infamous,” the four-time consecutively crowned national Calypso Monarch, “King Knoris,” along with Daga from St. Kitts while the Nevis Pan Ensemble and Eclectic Band featuring King Meeko, Karaoke Idol host Noah Mills, Lauren Barry, Ryhanna Wong along with other Nevisian artistes. Reigning queen, Ms. Mauriece Roberts (St. Kitts) is expected to take her final walk on that night.

Participants will begin arriving on Nevis on the 25^th of July and will be accommodated at Oualie Beach Hotel. They would make an appearance at the Miss Culture Swim Suit Competition slated to take place on that Sunday.   On Monday the 26^th, they will have a rehearsal session at the Cultural Complex, the show’s venue.   An opportunity will be provided for the media to interview the contestants.  In the evening, a welcome reception will be held in their honour at Oualie.

Ms. Francis informed that since the inception of pageant, organisers have always given the proceeds back to the community. “Funds realised from this year’s show will be used to start a hurricane relief fund for persons affected by hurricanes,” she said.

The pageant was conceptualised as a result of a young man’s love for pageantry and “CEO Randy Jeffers” produced the event as a means of contributing meaningfully to the line up of the Culturama Festival activities.

The Queen Show is a major highlight of the annual Culturama Festival events and provides an avenue for young talented Caribbean women to showcase and promote the region’s diverse cultural heritage which links us as one people, regionally and internationally. Ms. Francis said that the first show held in 2006 was won by the Nevis representative, Jamilah Parris, but was dominated by Dominica for the ensuing  two years (2007, 2008)  until sister island St. Kitts brought back the crown to the Federation in 2009.

-PRESS RELEASE