The curtains came down on the 2011 Christmas Festival celebrations with a Street Parade and closing ceremony on Monday, January, 2, 2012. Festival 2011 took place under the slogan, “Fete, Party Day & Night, Montserrat Festival 49th’’and began with the calypso Elimination on Friday December, 9 at Festival City.
Hundreds came out to experience the grand parade and bid farewell to 2011 Festival including the Masqueraders, Miss Goosey, the Oriole String Band, Soca and calypso artists, the Untouchable dancers, community and school costumed troupes as well as the winners of the various competitions.
The winners from the various shows and pageants were awarded for their participation in this year’s festival. Tropical productions led by Ms. Glendina Taylor staged the 2011 queen show which saw 20-year-old Claris Yearwood, Miss Montserrat Festival Queen 2011-2012 ahead of four other contenders on Christmas night at Festival City.18-year-old Maggie Detouche was first runner-up, while 20-year-old Tiffiany Ryan edged the other contestants Nathalia Durand, 23 years and 18 year Juslyn Fenton.
Kareem Thomas captured the crown in the first post-volcano Mr Montserrat Show before a huge audience at the Montserrat Culture on Thursday, December 22. Thomas captured three segments namely: Best Introduction and Mr. Personality, Best Vogue Wear and Best Formal Wear. Ajahnii Lewis won the People Choice Award, Interview Segment and the first-runner-up spot. Rondell Meade won the talent segment and captured the second runner-up. Khejell Kelly was the winner of the Best Costume and Berkley Chamber was judged Mr. Photogenic.
Crowd favourite throughout the competition, Garnett ‘Sylk’ Thomas won the crown after 10 years of taking part in the Calypso Monarch competition. His patriotic rendition of “Never Give Up” captivated the crowd and obviously the judges. William ‘Black ‘Jaguar’ Sweeney secured first runner while four-time calypso monarch Silvina “khandie” Malone followed.
The other finalists were: the defending Monarch Herman “Cupid” Francis, Nielson “Tiger” Duberry, Anderson “Andy” Kirnon Iceman, Kelvin “Tabu” Duberry, Vickie “storm” Locker and Kevin “King Natty” Farrell.
Night of Pan was held on Wednesday, December 21 at Festival City. The show featured the Brades, Look Out and St. Augustine Primary school Steel Orchestras, as well as the Lateral Blastzone and the Volcanics Steel Orchestra. Hells Gate Steel Orchestra, special guest from Antigua was only able to perform an opening piece ‘Ave Maria’ due to intermittent showers and finally heavy down pour of rains, which plagued the festival events, on the sparsely sheltered ground at the Little Bay playing field.
Other events and shows held during the festival season includes: Fabulous Entertainment – Legends of Calypso, the Punch and Get Out Soca Monarch, Euphony vibes Women in Calypso, and Festival Day with the parade of troupes and Carol Singing at the St. Patricks Roman Catholic Church.
Persistent rainfall forced the cancellation of the popular show Soca International live event which was scheduled for Thursday night; organizer of the show Raeford “Culcha Don” Gibbons said the inclement whether cast shadows, so the staging of the show from the outset.
