Sponsors showered the 2009 Carnival Queen show contestants with gifts galore.

The Sashing ceremony—it is the grand function where the Carnival queen contestants, all get to be officially introduced to their individual sponsors for the event. But do not go looking up the word “sashing,” in the dictionary, it was created just for Lucian carnival over the last four to five years, and is actually the ceremony where the ladies are adorned with their sashes bearing the names of their sponsors.
So there they were, the eight beauties on Friday evening, looking all radiant and expectant as they waited for the announcement. The 2009 sashing ceremony took place at Sandals Regency and was hosted by radio personality Sergin of the Wave 94.5. After some brief introductory remarks by chairperson of the Carnival queen committee Michele Monrose, invited guests were treated to a rendition by singer Teddyson John. The eight contestants were then introduced and made their way into the room, wearing masks, unveiling themselves as their names were called. The eight are Oneka McKoy of Babonneau, Velma Soody of Soufriere, Leona Sandiford of Dennery, Cortney John-Soufriere, Iva Satney- Gros Islet, Alisha Hunte-Castries, Lasha William- Marchand and Patrish Lionel- Anse La Raye.
This year, the organizers have heeded several calls to make the event more inclusive of contestants from across the island and as one can see the pageant in 2009 will reflect truly a national event.
The ladies were then serenaded by groovy soca singer Teddyson John and were then given a pep talk of sorts by Techla Deterville who quoted from famous speakers and writers and the bible to give her motivational speech more leverage.
Then the moment, the introduction to sponsors with the assistance of the 2008 carnival Queen Cathy Daniel. And now Patrish Lionel will now be known as Miss HTS/CIE Limited, Oneka McKoy, Miss Babonneau Sports Council, Velma Soody, Miss Saint Lucia Tourist Board, Lasha Williams-Paint Shop, Alisha Hunte-Miss Consolidated Foods,  Iva Satney Miss CES Limited, Cortney John-Miss Fond Doux Plantations and Leona Sandiford-Miss Dennery Business Community. The contestants were then greeted by Teddyson John who gave them a taste of his 2009 Groovy number.

CJ of The Vibe gets the 2008 carnival Queen to dish on her reign.

In speaking at the ceremony CDF chairman Kennedy Samuels noted that despite tough economic times and maybe because of this, the event has seen the opening up of non-traditional sponsors who have come forward to support the event. The manager of Sandals also delivered some remarks, wishing all of the contestants the best of luck.
The eight contestants were also presented with gifts by the main sponsor of Saint Lucia carnival Digicel and later had a chance to be interviewed by the local media. Then it was time for some light steel-pan music from Errol Fontenelle as guests and contestants partook in some of the food and drinks. Of course the ladies did so under the watchful eye of their chaperones, after all, the next three weeks and beyond will see them going all out at looking their best and staying in shape in time for the pageant which takes place July 4 at Samaans Park.

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