Patrons of what has been dubbed ‘the biggest day time event in Dominica,’ the LIME Creole In The Park (CITP), is officially off the cards for this year.
For the past years the event has been organized by telecommunications giant, LIME and on Wednesday the company’s General Manager Jeffery Baptiste said the cancelation is due to the havoc that Tropical Storm Erika caused to the country and the company.
Baptiste said on Wednesday that the event’s cancellation, in his view, should not come as a major surprise, although preparatory work had already begun.
“Prior to Tropical Storm Erika we were well on our way in terms of the planning and preparations to host this year’s CITP event,” he said. “Unfortunately we have taken a decision to cancel CITP. My sense is that I do not believe that the cancellation will come as a big surprise to many persons given the significant impact from Tropical Storm Erika. This is not a decision we have taken lightly. It is a decision that we feel we are obligated and forced to take. It is not in any way suggesting that we are no longer focused on the preservation and promotion of our cultural heritage, we still hold that very dear to our objective.”
Baptiste pointed out the event came about to “bridge the gap” that leads up to the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) and to encourage people to come to the country to celebrate its independence, among others.
“But this year the dynamics have shifted dramatically, not marginally, …. we are at a different place with respect to the whole question of our development as a country,” he he remarked. “You have seen the significant devastation that has been caused as a result of Tropical Storm Erika and so really it is not business as usual. It is a cancellation that is really built on the absolute need for us as a business to focus on our core business, that being telecommunications.”
He informed that the company suffered “significant impact” to its transmission and cuts in its underground fiber optic transmission network and while service has been restored, it was just “quick fixes”.
When asked what other plans were in place of the CITP, Baptiste mentioned that LIME, along with other stakeholders in the private sector, is already in conversation with the Ministry of Tourism for the hosting of relief concerts which will replace this year’s hosting of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) and the company will support it.
2015 would mark the 13th year of the event, which is usually held in the week leading up to the WCMF, has made its home in the Botanic gardens in Roseau.
Original story
There will be no Creole in the Park this year.
This as the country continues to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika.
For the past number of years the event has been organized by telecommunications company, LIME and has been held at the Botanic Gardens in Roseau.
The company’s General Manager, Jeffrey Baptiste, said after Erika, it is not business as usual in Dominica.
Last week it was announced that the World Creole Music Festival was cancelled this year and charity concerts will be held instead.
More info later.
Cancel it well! It’s a voodoo festival anyway. Let Jesus be celebrated instead.
Dominicans keep crying over and over about the cancellation of activities like WCMF and Creole in the Park. LIME wireless knows how much they lost during the storm. They have weighed their options of how much they will, in addition to what they have lost, and how much they will gain in the park. Do you think that the little 5 dollars at entrance, the two little phones and top up is going to be enough to cover up all the costs? In the past, it was easy to spend knowing that things were ok and profits were made and Creole in the park was fully covered under sponsorship and their surplus. Now that they have serious expenses, other businesses suffered too and sponsorship is not going to be the same, nor do they have the surplus to spend, it is better to look for avenues where they will SPEND LESS and GAIN MORE!.
Do not speak like fools Dominicans. Think of your own local business, if you had an event where u spend a lot, after facing the hardship, would you still spend and continue?
Lime is not a local business so your analogy is absurd
i dont see nothing wrong in the cancellation,some way,some how we need to move on even if it means we have to cut off things.it wouldnt kill us
First of all Lime has been complaining in the past that they cannot bring in the bands that they would like to bring in because it was said that it was competing with WCMF, however i see the cancellation of WCMF as an opportunity for Lime to bank on. Make the CITP much bigger this year so the people who booked their tickets on airline, at hotels and the car rental would still see it fit to come hence we will still receive the forcing exchange. Money will be circulating and vendors, taxi drivers, farmers, hoteliers and the ordinary person who is looking to make a dollar will benefit., Presently the way i look at this is like we are almost doomed to remain in this so-lame mood. Whilst i sympathize with everyone else that is suffering we need to get up and rise again. Take off this dark cloud which is hanging over us since after the T S Ericka. With all the cancellation of all these events this is going to set back the country further.
I meant foreign not forcing
While I understand your point about bringing in foreign currency and making money flow, we should not forget that we are still in the hurricane season. Can you imagine Dominica being hit with a disaster again during that week with thousands of visitors on island? To me, that is my biggest concern.
We cannot forget that we are still in the hurricane season and that October is usually the peak.
How many D/cans are in good spirits for entertainment or to fete?
It isn’t that they are blaming it on Erika. The fact is TS Erika hit D/ca in a worst manner and as you know, many died and some lost their entire property.
At present, in solidarity, those who are compassionate should know that D/ca is really in a state of mourning for those who lost their life and others who lost property. D/ca has not yet returned to normalcy; far from that. Give this a break.
Do not be bitter about the cancellation of Creole in the Park. All things happen for good reasons. Sad, it is due to the devastation that it had to be cancelled.
Time heals even though memories remain. Next year you should feel better and eager to participate.
D/ca is receiving assistance. Granted, much more will be needed. At this stage, how much money will be raised at those functions to help towards D/ca’s recovery relief? This can wait for at least a few months.
God bless Dominica and nationals!
Partner looks like he drink two “Must Cover” rum from the Stock Farm supplier
. Yes I, that is buff energy for so! 
I remember taking couple Must Cover shots a few carnivals ago and is tell they tell me how much daybar I do in the band
. Next day my significant other tell me doh come home and sleep by her when I drink that Must Cover because she will leave the room for me 
Assertive, NEVER Aggressive!
Your attitude must have been disgusting or either you were as a dead duck.
It must be embarrassing for those who know you to see you intoxicated and carrying on. Why drink so much that you cannot control yourself and misbehave?
There is a poor man who I occasionally see walking on the road. When he is drunk, he curses a lot. When he is sober, he is as docile as ever. He does not care even though the police is near him. I suppose they know him. This is what happens to some people when they drink too much. They can be troublesome. They are idle people too.
I saw another who is sometimes drunk. Last evening, on my way in, I saw him looking sober. I told him. “You look sober today.” He said he is trying to stay away from liquor. I told him too much of it is not good for your health. I do think it is also the influence of their associates which cause them to drink.
Lime found a convenient scape-goat to save money this year.
Excellent!! Somehow I just cannot imagine it….theses good times will be back next year. Hold your horses , barring death, your good time will be back!
Have confidence and be encouraged. It is twelve months from now. If no more storms, etc., people will be somewhat back to normal and in a better mood for entertainment.
Pathetic Dominica!!!
Upside down, inside out.
We are open for business, just not our primary business, nor our #1 foreign income generating event.
VAT is the backbone of our economy, but lets cancel an event that would bring millions in VAT.
We need $1 billion to rebuild, but we don’t need to invest $800K to make $10 million +
Send us your aid, donations, charity, but don’t come spend your cold hard cash.
Aye Dominique. Erika cleared up the smoke screen and now we see the wizard is just a little man with a loud horn. 6 for a 9 every time!
Dominicans pretending like is not sewo that is our national anthem
1 Peter 4:3-5
3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.
4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.
5But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.
It is very confusing what is happening in Dominica with regards to opportunities to raise money for the reconstruction post Erica,through cultural events.Also these cultural events will give citizens a chance to raise their spirits during these gloomy times.The minister for Tourism is on record as saying that the country is open for business, if so ,is it that we don’t believe him or did he misspeak. After the terrorist attack of 9/11,President Bush encouraged people to continue to live their lives,go out to the movies etc,to give a sense of normalcy.The NFL, National Football League held games again to help the nation heal.Yet in Dominica we are so accustomed to begging for hand-me-downs, that we rather do wait for others to raise money on our behalf. Stop the foolishness and allow the country to help itself, and bring back a feeling of wellness to the citizens, for the healing of the nation
@jonathan you missed the boat on this one. Why can t Dominicans lift their spirits through other artistic cultural expressions post Erica even though the citp or wcmf have been cancelled? Extasy band from ti savanne and sisserou singers /ti savanne jing ping are doing just that. Not everything has to be about Ameriker(in a Roseau accent) and the almighty dollar. Your choice to be there flying their flag not ours.
Great point!
I agree with you. We have to move on with our lives. I know alot of people who were coming down for the festival and they change their minds so that is money the country will not get and which they need.
Well said.
From your comments you obviously do not live in Dominica. So u are forgiven. Do u think the profits made from CITP and Creole festival is more than what is invesyeed? We are open for business yes. Are shows the only business taking place in Dominica? Get a reality check. Stop listening to Q95 and try looking at this from a leaders point of view.
Caught u red handed……. So u sent handed down clothes to Dominica huh. Send money next time so we can fix the country instead of pinez clothes
DNO all you not easy nuhhh.. Thats the best pic you can find of CITP?
I respect the PM but as finance minister and his comments on the WCMF yesterday but I will have to disagree with him on the cancellation of the festival. First off, you have to spend money to make money. Second, everyone benefits from the festivals, from the farmers all the way up to the government: local shops, hotels and guest houses, local bars and shops, car rentals, the man selling dasheen in Bells on your way to and from the airport, airport departure tax, hired vehicles, wholesalers, the port authority, local vendors who sell bakes and chicken, fishermen, bus drivers etc. Everyone benefits. So it is not a thing of partying, off course we respect the dead but life has to go own, we cannot depend on what other countries think of us. We have to move on and help ourselves.
For example on departure tax alone which about $59 if I am correct?
If 3,000 visitors come to DA that is 3,000*$59= $177,000. Then add the money they will spend on hotel and food, drinks and travel. On…
Hopefully there is some place for them to stay that is reasonable, considering all of the displaced Dominicans at the moment.
I do not blame Lime for cancelling Creole in the Park after WCMF was cancelled.
This festival is not just fete, it is also business commerce, bringing the money into the country which we dearly need. For some hotels and guests houses, this is the only time of year that they are filled to capacity and can even raise rates to make more money, money that can give workers more in their pockets. This is the only time of year that car rentals can be sold out. The WCMF was created to give Dominica exposure to the rest of the world. The cancellation can back fire on the gov’t, other countries might say now they have a chance to make some money, the locals can make money and they are cancelling their biggest event, we have to show the world that we are helping ourselves so Mr. PM with all due respect and I do respect you but I think that cancelling the festival was a bad idea
You made a good point. I really thought they would keep the CIP because it was cheaper to enter but will still bring in some much needed monies. But I see it from the other side also. And we can’t blame the PM for everything. This is not on the PM’S part. LIME saw it unfit at the moment so they canceled. They got to spend money to make money and all the monies they got to spend to fix the damage to their lines from Erica…..I understand.
camem Ericka taking the blame for everything this year lol….it was evident that things were already bad with CITP 2 years ago….poor Ericka
GREAT! Dominicans too like sewo
Take some business commerce to backup your comment
I agree. Let us repent as a nation. Go back to church. Stop the division. Help the poor and stop the envy and back-biting in this country.
Dominica is to divided. To many hypocretes we need help
So unfortunate
Well… I will get to save some money to buy water.