DDA announces date for WCMF 2014

Patrons at WCMF 2013
Patrons at WCMF 2013

The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has officially announced the dates for the staging of the 18th edition of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF).

This year the festival will take place from October 24 – 26, 2014.

“In keeping with the theme of integrating the World Creole Music Festival with Dominica’s Independence celebrations, the date for the Festival was advanced one week prior to the originally scheduled date of the last weekend in October,” the DDA said on Thursday. “It is felt that this move will allow for a seamless transition between the two activities which showcases Dominica’s rich cultural heritage.”

Director of Tourism, Colin Piper, is expecting positive growth in visitor arrivals for the event. “This year we expect the Festival to continue the positive growth trend which we saw in 2013, which we felt was as a result of an extensively targeted marketing campaign to the neighboring French territories and Caribbean islands,” he said.

The official launch of the Festival is scheduled to take place in July.

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89 Comments

  1. March 11, 2014

    Mr Piper.

    Hello and good afternoon my people. Mr Piper are you going to stick to this date because we have to purchase our tickets and make reservations for a rental vehicles. Most of us want to come and enjoy the music festivals and then our nation independence so please we need a firm commitment.

  2. Toomatoe Tomato
    March 9, 2014

    What are the normal days or dates for the Creole Festival?

    I know we celebrate Dominica’s Independence on November 3rd. And All Saints and All Souls on November 1st and 2nd.

  3. rc massive
    March 8, 2014

    I cannot believe it i have already organize my vacation for the month end of october what is really really going on in dominica nuh . I very much disapointed in that new change .I may have to forget that trip .
    D/A please wake uppppp

  4. Malgraysa
    March 7, 2014

    Maybe the DDA are struggling to get the artists they want for the traditional time because they are already committed to other events that may be more lucrative?

  5. by stander
    March 7, 2014

    …… with OUR backward thinking……

  6. Jay
    March 7, 2014

    It is puzzling why the DDA made this change. It can not be in order to pre-empt the Lime Creole in the Park event because I see from the Caribbean Events Calendar (published by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation) that this event is now slated to take place before the WCMF, from 20-23 Oct..One could argue that after the Lime event there will not be much money to go around for the Creole festival, certainly not till the end of the month!
    Is the DDA’s decision perhaps driven by the French market in the hope that people from Guadeloupe & Martinique will travel twice to Dominica, once for the WCMF and again for the independence celebrations? Also, one should not forget that St. Lucia has it own International Creole Festival on the weekend 26/27 Oct. or the Martinique Jazz Festival, also taking place in Oct. The fact is that Dominica is not alone in wanting to cash in and the regional competition must not be discounted, especially in view of our handicaps of access and accommodation. I really don’t know what to make of this.

    • March 11, 2014

      Jay.

      Hello and good afternoon my people. Thanks Jay for the information because we need to know so we can purchase our tickets and make reservations for vehicles.

  7. by stander
    March 7, 2014

    DDA mess up the creole festival…. Those same french people who coming year in year out will take it from us with out back to front thinking. Doesn’t the ministers of culture and tourism have an input? If they do or don’t they still have to be held responsible.. That is another reason why Change Is To Be A Must. Government and its administrators are too short sighted.

  8. lazy!!!
    March 7, 2014

    All they have to do is to get a proper cleanup team so the next events can take place in the stadium. Dominican 2 LAZY!!!!

  9. OVERSEAS
    March 7, 2014

    was planning to make the trip this year but if the date is 24 to 26 sorry have to change plans.

  10. fan
    March 7, 2014

    This is madness,the dates are not appropriate.You are putting the diaspora under pressure .They would not beable to stay for independence celebrations ,if they also want to capture Creole in the park.They do not normally have this much vacation .So please do the right and correct thing.Make a big blast this year ! not long and boring but short ans spicey!Lets make them capture creole in the park,world creole festival and our independence in one big grand season This would be a big promo for Dominica .NIne day and nine nights of action!

  11. Dominican Abroad
    March 7, 2014

    Please go online and sign the petition that I created. This change doesn’t make sense! We need to stand up for something at some point.

    http://www.change.org/petitions/discover-dominica-authority-world-creole-music-festival-host-wcmf-2014-on-it-original-date-of-october-31st-november-2nd-2014

  12. Morihei Ueshiba
    March 7, 2014

    Piper this is very unprofessional, u should have announced this change at last creole festival not couple months before WCMF 2014, who is making those decisions, do u people just wake up one morning and change the parade, change the wcmf dates next is carnival date, Dice meant time for change in Govt not messing up our dates for our cultural heritage, GeeZ! :-P

    • Anonymous
      March 17, 2014

      Couple months before WCMF? I thought we are in March and World Creole Music Festival is in October.

    • Anonymous
      March 17, 2014

      Couple months before WCMF? I thought we are in March and WCMF is in October.

    • Rachel
      March 17, 2014

      A couple months before WCMF? I thought we are in March and this event don’t take place until the third week in October.

  13. Just Blaze
    March 7, 2014

    What DDA did here is really dumb. THis is just pure nonesense. This is what I mean when I say we have some of the biggest idiots in Dominica in high office. Why Why why would you change the date and put it a day in advance.

    Anybody in the entertainment industry in Dominica know when you put your activity on a month end u stand a better chance as things tight in Dominica and is only that time people have a little money in their pocket.

    And if they really doing that because of CITP then they just stupid. CITP is an after work chill event. CITP is not making people boycott wcmf. Come better than that man.

    U doh think more people will buy season tickets now as they can take the whole Sunday and not worry about work next day.

    Is like them man out of touch with whats happening in Dominica.

  14. diaspora
    March 7, 2014

    this is pure rubbish, so after we come to dominica we have to spend a whole week againt and lost our jobs overseas to get independence celebrations??????? you guys have no heart
    wicked dominican wicked. keep the same dates please

  15. March 7, 2014

    WCMF must remain the same
    October 31 – Nvember 2
    it gives us a chance as visitors and nationals visiting from overseas to enjoy CITP – WCMF as well a the Independence
    Mr. Piper , you should seiously consider the change

  16. Anonymous
    March 7, 2014

    Is Ministry going to pay workers a week in advance? How are those who wait till the end of the month to get money to spend going to enjoy festival to the fullest? Shop owners going to have to wait till the following weekend to make the bulk of their money? By that time, 75% of the visitors/diaspora will be gone. We don’t all have the luxury of taking 3 weeks vacation at once.

    As pointed out in the earlier comment, the amount of money we have to pay in change fees could be better spent locally. $250USD is almost $700ECD. I know plenty local vendors, plenty shops owners would rather have that money in their pockets than in the pockets of the airline company.

    If you all concerned about having the stadium clean and prepared for the March is simply end festival a tad bit earlier, clear people out and have the cleaning crew start to clean earlier. Have more garbage bags available around the stadium. It is NOT rocket science. You don’t establish something and then change it last minute. This is a MAJOR inconvenience and a very expensive one for those living abroad. Despite what you may think, Festival is sustained by visitors and those coming back home, not the locals.

  17. March 7, 2014

    lets petition the decision of the DDA
    i’ve already booked my flight to be in DA for bothe the WCMF and the Independence celebration.
    i am so sad that i will miss out on iteracting with the community and the locals for the indepedence celebration. Mr.Piper please look into the matter and have the WCMF remain the same Oct 31 to Nov. 1

  18. Anonymous
    March 7, 2014

    Is Ministry going to pay Dominican’s a week in advance? Where are the ones who have to wait until monthend to get pay going to get money to spend a week before?

    Instead of making the diaspora spend money on change fees, why not keep the date as is and have them use that money to patronize the locals? As pointed out in the previous comment – $250USD is almost $700ECD…I know plenty of locals who would much prefer to have than $700 in their pocket instead of in the pocket of the airline companies. THINK PEOPLE, THINK

  19. March 7, 2014

    I am certainly in agreement with the bloggers. My family and I, we are looking forward to coming home for the festival but the change of date has thrown a rench in my vacation plans. I was looking forward to having an enjoyable three weeks vacation due to the predicted time of the festival. Creole in the Park, World Creole Festival, Independence day, Jump up and then relax and say I enjoyed myself, now I will have to try to change my vacation. Mr. Piper, you all are calling on Dominicans who are oversees to come home for the festival but you all are not considering we have to work and vacations are
    scheduled. There is need for more discussion on that subject. One must call on the Minister of Tourism for a forum.

  20. Sisserou
    March 7, 2014

    correction… should start October 30th or 31st

  21. Sisserou
    March 7, 2014

    I had to read the article twice to try to comprehend what was being said…”it is felt that this move will allow for a seamless transition between the two activities…”. I believe the opposite is true. If you want the two activities to have a seamless transition they should be closer together not further apart. Those of us traveling from overseas can’t afford the time and expense to stay away for the length of time that would be required by the change to enjoy both activities. For a seamless transition and to encourage more individuals to participate in both activities the WCMF should Start October 30th of 31.

  22. Rainbow
    March 7, 2014

    When I heard the news initially I thought it was a good idea but after reading the concerns of Dominicans leaving abroad I changed my mind. Please leave the dates- last weekend in October and if it has to be changed let the people know way in advice.

    • Rainbow
      March 7, 2014

      Sorry (advance)not advice

  23. justsaying
    March 7, 2014

    I think the main reason behind the date change is to be ahead of CITP. Did they take into consideration the fact that salaries are usually paid the 26-31 of every month which would fall after the festival is over?

  24. MIL
    March 7, 2014

    This is utter rubbish….firstly people will not be paid before the 28th (gov workers) how we going to spend on the festival????? smh Piper dem think everyone like them that making salary meet salary man?

  25. feel
    March 7, 2014

    I fee the title of the article should have been, “DDA announces change of date for WCMF”. I did not get why would they have needed to post the article with the date for WCMF when everyone knows when it is normally held.

  26. Butterfly Bertrand
    March 7, 2014

    My main problem with all this is People aint getting paid till after WCMF.not all employers will see it fit to pay THAT IS A TIE!

  27. NicE n NaughtY
    March 7, 2014

    Who cares really!!

  28. JoJo
    March 7, 2014

    That is why I don’t buy tickets in advance again. I just wait till they discount close to the event, which they must do, especially with this planning.
    I’m not getting caught again.

  29. oh no
    March 7, 2014

    I will say it again n again Colin Piper and his staff is a waste. Did the DDA told us what profit they made last year from the festival I hope I did not miss out. These people just get big salary for nothing and they have so much job titles in that office some of theses titles one has to wonder what the heck is going on It is a pure waste of money . MY Skirro should look into that
    DDA

  30. Jaime Lewis
    March 7, 2014

    I think that the organizers should consider the impact that this move will have on patrons. For those of us who were born before 1978 we recall fondly celebrating National Day, and later on Independence. We look forward to being in Dominica for those celebrations. Of course, with the advent of WCMF and CITP we would like to enjoy these new additions. However, how can we do that when we are unable to be away for more than 2 weeks? The average Diasporan does not have luxury of unlimited time off, and with no international airport, travel time may cost us 2-4 days, reducing time on the ground to 8-10 days. What a tough decision….Independence or WCMF? Hopefully Mr. Piper and the organizers have reviewed the data to make such a decision.

  31. DominicanYute
    March 7, 2014

    Let Tommy Lee Sparta come & perform there! It’s only right since he came to Dominica… Only to not perform because of the government & protesters and ting. And before people say Tommy Lee Sparta’s music isn’t Creole or whatever, there’s been other performers before performing Reggae etc.

    They just wasted Tommy Lee Sparta & all if his peoples money, plus the fans that actually wanted to see him. Yes people, he actually has fans in Dominica that really wanted to see him, but couldn’t all because his name/alter-ego or whatever is ‘Uncle Demon’?… Lol. I’m not saying that he hasn’t said negative things in his lyrics, but so many of the protesters didn’t and still don’t know who he really is! And many of that haven’t actually listened to his music? And the government still haven’t have a good enough reason for why they didn’t let him enter Dominica & perform. Some people like King Dice for example… Others don’t. But I don’t see the people that don’t making a big fuss over it and protesting & ting.

    That’s all. P.S. I like King Dice :)

    • DominicanYute
      March 7, 2014

      I mean many of them* not that. And I meant the government haven’t gave* not have.

  32. Fact
    March 7, 2014

    Stop bringing in all these Jamaican Reggae artiste and paying them thousands of US dollars to perform, while ignoring our very own “CHUBBY”
    who has dedicated his entire career towards creole music in Dominica.

  33. Anonymous
    March 7, 2014

    a poll can work

  34. Sports Lover
    March 6, 2014

    Are we really serious in Dominica. Like seriously. Last year the WCMF was from October 25-27, 2014. Now this year it is the 24-26. Can someone tell me what is the difference. Like come on Dominicans. Simple common sense. The DDA didn’t do anything out of the way. The WCMF will go back to the last week in October by 2016. The DDA didn’t make the calendar. Its how our Independence comes. Its just amazing and laughable how we make a big issue about simple matters.

    • Sports Lover
      March 6, 2014

      October 25-27, 2013 not 2014

    • Rachel
      March 17, 2014

      You are the only person whose comment that I have read makes sense. As you said last year was 25 – 27 and it really didn’t affect me. In fact I enjoyed the week in between to do things in Dominica. Again, we can’t change the calendar!

  35. Graham Chambers
    March 6, 2014

    The large majority of foreign visitors to the festival come from Martinique and Guadeloupe. They are able to do so because they have an academic vacation for all saints (fetes des morts) which usually coincides with the last weekend of October…Let’s see how this plays out this year…..

  36. March 6, 2014

    whp tell \Piper and company to change d dates. They must bwe really mad in their head. \is it for them they change date or is it for the entertainers they have in mind. \Bull shit. \pliper and co. Real shit you all doing. Get a damn life. What you think the Diaspora doh have a life too///. RECONDSIDER.

  37. Anonymous
    March 6, 2014

    wait wait wait”’ i dont believe that DDA will go with that date. i suspect that they came up with that idea just to get the public’s reaction. i just stopped to wonder why an early announcement immediately after carnival.keep in mind for the past years wcmf changes were never announced so early. again peopls that is just to get your reactions for DDA to know what to do.anyway to those who have brought their airline tickets and made reservations i dont suggest that you make any changes yet. keep the pressure on DDA.

  38. March 6, 2014

    whp tell \Piper and company to change d dates. They must bwe really mad in their head. \is it for them they change date or is it for the entertainers they have in mind. \Bull shit. \pliper and co. Real shit you all doing. Get a damn life. What you think the Diaspora dohg have a life too. RECONDSIDER

  39. Da girl
    March 6, 2014

    Could someone from the WCMF CoMmittee explain the reason for this change. cause you’ll are ruining my plans.

  40. For Richer Or Poorer
    March 6, 2014

    Have we all checked the dates? I checked the calendar and it is still the last weekend in October. November 1st is a Saturday. So they would had to make a change. Independence Day is the Monday. What would we have them do? When would they prepare the Stadium.

    I mean they have given us so much time to make our travel arrangements and we are complaining? Garcon we like to complain. Even when things stare us right in our eyes.

    • Anonymous
      March 6, 2014

      Actually YOU need to take the time to read. Creole Fes SHOULD have been October 31 – Nov 2nd this year. This article is saying that they have moved Fes to the week BEFORE, meaning Oct. 24 – 26! No one is “complaining”, YOU need to learn to read!

    • Anonymous
      March 6, 2014

      And further more, when you live abroad, especially living in the US, Canada & Europe, you have no choice but to buy your tickets months upon months in advance to get the best possible rates. 6 months is not “much time” when it comes to heading home. Coming home is not a simple spend $500EC on Liat and call it a day. It is a spend $400, $500USD to get you to Antigua, Barbados or Puerto Rico PLUS spend money for Liat to get you home. I bought my ticket since in January and I know I am not the only one. Trust an believe that tickets are already much more expensive now than they were in January!

  41. change
    March 6, 2014

    Tto his date change is not going to work for most people.Prior CMF we have four days of creole in the park three days of CMF making it seven days,sometimes you need four days for traveling because most times you have to overnight to make connections,if we add this is eleven days,with two weeks vacation there is no more time left for independence ,by then I will be on my way back home.Mr. Piper you better go back to the drawing board.

    • grell
      March 7, 2014

      stop the damn complaining travel different.you people always whining,take a chill pill.i will be their and ontime.

    • hmm
      March 7, 2014

      u only looking out for ur self..u make no scence

  42. Jon Carson
    March 6, 2014

    This is a very bad decision and I am convinced that the officials in charge of tourism on the island of Dominica have no clue what they are doing. What better way to have WCMF on its usual last weekend of the Month of October that happens to fall this year, around the same time with the Independence celebrations? We will be able to showcase the island’s celebrations with both visitors and returning Dominican, where they can get two for one in one package. We will be able to celebrate and enjoy the WCMF and also see the military parade and more activities that same weekend.

    Bad move by the DDA officials and the Government of Dominica should rescind that stupid decision.

  43. Lovely
    March 6, 2014

    Oh no I cannot believe the change in date I already bought my ticket from Canada to come for WCMF this change is totally throwing me off. I planned my vacation sooooo well CITP >>WCMF>>Independence Parade >>Street Jump up Sigh you people to to reconsider that move please. :oops: :oops: :oops:

  44. Limers
    March 6, 2014

    i swear it was the same time last year.. whats the big problem

    • Anonymous
      March 6, 2014

      There is a difference between DATE/time and LAST WEEKEND OF THE MONTH!

  45. ##D.A.##.
    March 6, 2014

    DAM! typical Dominica, and square pegs in round hole, if that is be believed why now, do you all think those of us who have jobs and must pick vacation one year in advance, can just change our vacation date just like that? That is pure BS, on the part of those who think they can make such decisions without taking into consideration the very patrons both at home and away from home we have to plan and in certain persons situation they already purchased their tickets. Now that BS, change of dates we know you all are trying to kill the festival this is one more reason to bury it! Don’t you all take into consideration persons who plan to visit Dominica during the festival do plan in some cases years in advance? For argument sake if this change was planned why announce it now? We are so convinced every thing is upside down and inside out” never fail to prove us wrong. Yes I am Dominican, who every year come home spend big money in our economy like every one else. Now that BS,makes me sick hope those who saw it fit to change the date for the festival reverse this decision A.S.A.P. The world is a global village and persons must not act and think with their head btw their# hole is does not work like that! who is going to refund those of us who already purchased our Airline tickets thinking the usual date was going to be as usual. Instead of all that RO-RO- why don’t you all tell us how much money the festival racked in last year, why the secret its our festival, our money, be transparent and make public the status of the festival every year. we are the laughing stock of the rest of the world the way we sometimes do business and we wonder why things the more we seek change the more things remain the same. I am Dominican Are YOU?

  46. Stupes
    March 6, 2014

    Stupes pure nonsense.

  47. "sceptical"
    March 6, 2014

    seems to me they trying to be infront of creole in the park instead of following it up…

  48. Anonymous
    March 6, 2014

    pure rubbish dda think of the dasaspora

  49. Big mistake
    March 6, 2014

    That is the worst news and I hope Mr Piper read this.Last year I brought down 10 friends to the festival and these people were spending average 500 US daily with food and drinks however they all returned the Wednesday after the festival.They were very dissappointed not to be able to experience the independence parade etc and even mingle with the locals with the community service day.
    This year they were all excited because of the time will fall in time to experience all together.What a dissappointment they felt when I text them of the change.I know for sure 6 of them cannot make it.you have killed my spirit to even invite others to come visit because you are making the country lose so much money.the locals will make more money from visitors if the time is together…don’t you think economy and who in gods name told you this decision will benefit the economy.???….FAIL ….FAIL…FAIL..

  50. March 6, 2014

    We need to change the pple who r running DDA. They r incompetent and unqualified and out of ideas. We can do better in DA! Heck we deserve better!

    • jem
      March 7, 2014

      i am in agreement with your statement and we need to come together as a nation and put ppl who can see the big picture and retire those tired ideas cause they are causing the country to lose money

  51. Diaspora
    March 6, 2014

    “In keeping with the theme of integrating the World Creole Music Festival with Dominica’s Independence celebrations, the date for the Festival was advanced one week prior to the originally scheduled date of the last weekend in October,”. Want to keep it integrated but you move the date. Seriously?! HMMMM ‘integrated’. DDA I am lost for words.

  52. Diaspora
    March 6, 2014

    “In keeping with the theme of integrating the World Creole Music Festival with Dominica’s Independence celebrations, the date for the Festival was advanced one week prior to the originally scheduled date of the last weekend in October,”. Want to keep it integrated but you move the date. Seriously?! HMMMM ‘integrate’. DDA I am lost for words.

  53. London massive
    March 6, 2014

    We had already plan for the previous date this is rubbish

  54. Educator
    March 6, 2014

    That is going to throw my plans completely out the window.

    I had tentatively planned to arrive in DA on Oct 25 and spend 10 days there taking in both the creole festival and independence celebrations. Now, I will have to advance my trip and do the creole activities and completely miss the independence celebrations.

    That is a real shame.

    I don’t understand that seamless transition they talked about. Why would they want our French neighbours to enjoy both sets of activities?

    • Educator
      March 6, 2014

      I meant: why would they not want our French neighbours to enjoy both WCMF and Independence?

    • Diaspora
      March 6, 2014

      Same here. I sent in my leave request. So have to alter it and miss independence. :(

  55. Love It
    March 6, 2014

    Great decision!!! I usually can’t get time off at the end of the month due to my job restrictions, with this change in date it’s guaranteed that I will be there. I hope the line up will be great this year. Some will love the decisions and others will hate it.

  56. festival biggest fan
    March 6, 2014

    The festival dates should be the weekend before.independence. We’d get to make a.day break Monday. Police parade in the evening and street jump up the evening of clean up day. More people would come and experience all activities cause.most people overseas have only a few days off. We should have a petition to change the dates. Collin piper wake up poor planning

  57. Diaspora
    March 6, 2014

    Smh. Was looking forward to creole day and independence celebrations when I come down for de festival. Pure bouick vibes.

  58. d
    March 6, 2014

    so what about people that buy their tickets already? stupes

  59. No Man
    March 6, 2014

    Awa wii, Creole Festival was good as the climax of the festivities. Not the beginning. Come on. Who decides on these dates?

  60. Anonymous
    March 6, 2014

    That is pure ‘comess’. What justification does the DDA have to show that hosting the WCMF a week in advance will “allow for a seamless transition between the two activities which showcases Dominica’s rich cultural heritage”?

    How can they just change the date of the WCMF without consulting the patrons of the show? Have they no consideration for how the patrons of the show will feel about this move?

    Mr. Piper I do believe that you need to go back to the drawing board. Come back when you have facts to support your claim and not just a feeling.

  61. sweetipie princess
    March 6, 2014

    DDA dats nonsense.you all will cause the world creole music festival to loose taste.you all should put the festival back to the last week in October

  62. class
    March 6, 2014

    but wat is dat for me nah.wen i was in D/ca last inde allu give the date i done buy my ticket already.u kno wat i not in dat this year..

  63. web
    March 6, 2014

    If i do come for festival i wont be staying for the independence activities to much time away cant stay to long.

    • Ugh!!
      March 7, 2014

      Exactly. Many of us abroad do not gave that much vacation time. What r we supposed to do! Take time off without pay for that extra week til independence?

  64. Thinking
    March 6, 2014

    Think before you do, or at least re-think this choice. Have the persons who decided on that date really considered the economy and the visitor’s vacation? Hear this:

    1. Persons have not even gotten paid as yet. What will they spend in the park and stadium? Are we forcing people to borrow until they get paid around that time? Unfortunately, some people do wait until their pay check to spend what they they budgeted fro instead of taking from the savings.

    2. Who are you really going to market the two events too? Most of the visitors are working people as well. Sometimes they only have a few days from work to vacation since they may have possibly had taken during the year. You want to market the two but they are soo far apart. The later will suffer since persons may opt for just the park and stadium and forget about the actual independence day and street jump up. Instead of breaking the package apart, keep it simple and keep the package in whole. CITP->WCMF->Independence day->Street Jump up. Think about the persons who are soo tired after festival, atleast they have a day to rest or atleast chill at the Cultural Gala. It is more likely for a visitor to get 11 days from work than 17 or more. Please be logical.

    3. I applaud the marketing strategy to lure the masses which attended in 2013 but if you get the reports from DASPA, the majority left before Independence day.

    4. Suggestion: Start this atleast from the Thursday 23rd with whatever activities necessary, go into the next week with CITP then into WCMF, let the next day be Independence day. the WCMF could have a huge set up for that. Maybe even fireworks at midnight or something. I honestly do not know how the cleaners are going to do it but something needs to be done in time for the Independence day speeches and prizes and march by the police. The stage can remain and decorated suitably. think think think.

    I am not a genius, but I can be practical and logical about event management.

    I respect the efforts being made by the organizers but sometimes, some things may need to go back to the drawing board.

    If anyone may agree with what i jsut said, please like my comment to solicit a change of heart from the organizers. If you have anything to add, please comment. Negative comments are always welcomed, these too can be channelled into something positive, believe it or not.

    P.S. Carnival was great!!! :mrgreen: & We need a Lapeau Kabwait day or time or something during carnival or independence. Drums are an exceptional instrument unno. Too much electronic stuff mennnn. Can’t have too much of one thing. Lemme jump to the drums too and show my appreciation to the african spirit in me!

  65. please
    March 6, 2014

    foolishness….is not d last weekend it suppose to take place nah…pure stupidness….

  66. Wassin Bwa
    March 6, 2014

    Remember after the festival last year there was an entire week of nothing to do by the visitors, hope u guys plan this thing better this year…..

  67. Dominican Abroad
    March 6, 2014

    :oops: :-x :oops:
    In 1997, 2003 and 2008 – Independence Day fell on the Monday immedicately after Creole Fes Sunday. Festival was STILL kept Oct. 31 – Nov. 2nd!

    You people do NOT take your time to think of how your actions affect the masses. People like myself who come home year after year for festival have already bought our tickets, as you are supposed to, because coming home is not cheap. So now we must find change fees to give Jet Blue or America Airlines ($150USD) PLUS change fees to give Liat ($100USD) PLUS pay for any difference in fares. That is $250USD++ in fees etc. And for WHAT? Wouldn’t you rather me coming home and spending that same $250USD at home instead? What is so wrong about Going directly from Creole Festival to Independence Day? If folks abroad wants to come home to enjoy everything the season has to offer – from Creole in the Park straight to Independence Day, we have to be in Dominica for almost 20days. Most people abroad do NOT have the luxury of taking so long away from their jobs to come home. This year would have been the perfect opportunity to be able to be home for 10days/14days and thoroughly enjoy the season.

    What does this mean now? Is festival always going to be the Friday before the last Friday in October? Is this a one time change? Must we who live abroad now wait until March to know what we are going to do in October?

    Come on! This is just pure nonsense.

    • Anonymous
      March 6, 2014

      but both activities were not held at the stadium, creole festival was at goodwill savanah and independence was at the gardens

      • Anonymous
        March 10, 2014

        It is NOT that hard to clean a stadium. If festival went on until 8am in the morning and the parade was at 10am I could understand, but that is not the case.

        Further more – there are TONS of unemployed people on the island, that i am sure will be happy to go pick up the trash laying around the stadium t get a few dollars in their pockets.

        Finally – this is Dominica, not Brazil after carnival. The stadium will not be so over run with garbage that it will take days and a clean-up crew of 500 to clear.

        POOR EXCUSE!!!

  68. Stryka
    March 6, 2014

    These guys dont know what to do again.When Workers come back in power we will come with another sustainable event like this .It was under them the wcmf was envisioned.Leave the thing how it is .

  69. chupes
    March 6, 2014

    pure nonsense!!! wouldve been nice to keep the festival at the original scheduled date…at least we could get some rest on the Mon & Tues…every where you turn is donkey

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