Bridgetown is set to come alive during CARIFESTA as businesses prepare to roll out a wave of discounts, giveaways and entertainment designed to attract both visitors and Barbadians. Former president of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and long-standing businessman Eddy Abed said the festival will provide a muchneeded lift for The City, showcasing its culture, history and retail offerings.
He was speaking at the CARIFESTA XV secretariat in The Elijah Centre, Pine Road, Belleville, St Michael, yesterday, on the BCCI’s partnership with the National Cultural Foundation to host two special Bridgetown Days tomorrow and Saturday, August 30.
The Bridgetown Days are designed to draw festival delegates, Barbadians and visitors into the heart of the capital to experience the unique blend of commerce and culture it offers. “A special place, it’s more than commerce,” Abed said. “There is food, culture, entertainment, lots of craft [and the] wonderful [Golden Square] Freedom Park that has been re-imagined. The family display in front of Parliament, the old Parliament that has been redone, it’s spectacular. The old Metro building too. So there is more to Bridgetown and we encourage those to come.”
Store specials
With heritage sites such as the Jewish Synagogue, and historic churches set against a backdrop of shopping and cultural displays, Abed stressed that Bridgetown will be at the heart of the CARIFESTA experience. He revealed that merchants have already lined up promotions for August 23 and 30, with discounts ranging from ten per cent to as much as 50.
“I’m looking at the offerings from many of our members and independent retailers and merchants in The City, and it ranges from jewellery to garments. I’m seeing here that we have footwear.
We also have the banks which have gotten involved. The credit union are offering specials. I see Flow, who is also a sponsor, offering some specials,” he said.
The incentives will not only target festival visitors but also encourage Barbadians to rediscover the capital. “Buy this and we give you that free. Or some of the vendors are asking people just to visit their shops and they will give them a token, a free gift,” Abed explained. “For Bajans who know The City and may not have been there for a while, this is an excellent opportunity to visit.”
He added that logistics were being discussed to make the experience smoother. “We have been speaking to the police and hopefully they will be a little bit more forgiving for those who park indiscriminately on those days, but I cannot assure you. But there’s ample parking – no question, there’s ample parking.”
Entertainment will also spill into the streets as organisers work to bring steel band music into Bridgetown. According to Abed, the blend of retail activity, cultural offerings and music will transform the capital into a lively festival hub.
“More importantly, there is a sense of any festival that goes on in Barbados; there’s a sense of feel good. There’s a sense of happiness and there’s no place to see it better than Bridgetown. So please, this is a welcome to all to come and visit us,” he said. (CLM)
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