The National Celebrations’ Committee (NCC) is reporting positive response nationwide to plans for hosting a “Prime Minister’s Best Village Competition’’ next year.
The competition is the centerpiece of the 2012 celebrations of Grenada’s 38th anniversary of Independence.
“There are three categories for judging the competition – environment, culture and food,’’ said an NCC official. “Culture includes not just dance, music and drama, but also children’s games and storytelling. For food, we are judging three types of Oil Down. These are Traditional Oil Down, Popular Oil Down and Fish Oil Down.’’
A village, the official explained, is considered a “well-defined geographic area accepted by the people who reside there. For the Prime Minister’s Best Village Competition, any two adjacent communities may register and participate. Award will be given to the best in each of the three categories of the competition.’’
The national Best Village award will be given to the village accumulating the most points after judging.
“Registration forms for the competition are available and many villages are taking the opportunity to register early,’’ said the NCC official. “We encourage others to also register now.’’
Each parish, including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, has community groups that are coordinating both the Best Village Competition and plans for the staging of a Parish Day in observance of Independence 2012.
Registration forms are available from the various community groups, as well as from Best Village Officers working in each parish. Forms can also be obtained from the office at the Grenada Cultural Foundation (GCF) at the National Stadium, St. George’s. The GCF can be contacted at 435-5869 or 435-2839.
The NCC, which is headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Smith Roberts, says that among the main objectives of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Competition are “to bring unity to villages and to encourage and display, in a sustainable manner, our pride as an independent nation.’’
It is also to motivate “all villages and villagers to take pride in their environment and to keep their environment litter-free and environmentally friendly,’’ as well as to “encourage villagers to revive and display their unique cultural and culinary expressions.’’
