Background

The chairman of Pankimas, Mr. Hugh Ragguette, told the Vincentian that efforts to organise the festival began in the early 20th Century, with the Colonial Administrator organising competitions among the bands. On Carnival Tuesday the bands appeared before him and his guests at Government House. The merchants in and around Kingstown organised a separate competition, which the bands attended after appearing at Government House.

With the coming of Adult Suffrage, Vincentians were able to elect representatives of the Legislative Council. The people’s representatives began to regard Carnival as a festival that merited their attention and allocated resources towards its development. At the time, the festival was organised by the Town Board.

A New era began in 1962 when the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) took over the organisation and conduct of the festival. They made a significant contribution during the following decade. The festival developed in such scope and magnitude that the Jaycees asked the Government of the day to set up a structure to organise the festival.

Thus in the 1970's the then Minister of Education, Community Development and Youth Affairs, Alfonso Dennie, met with key players and formed the Carnival Development Committee (CDC). It became a legal entity through an Act of Parliament early 2002. The institution has been re-named Carnival Development Corporation.

For more Information on the Carnival Development Corporation Click here