the talent of the region’s youth.
The Vieux Fort Tennis Court will be set ablaze as it hosts the tenth annual YouthFest on December 22 2013. On Wednesdaty the STAR had a chat with Miss Jackie Cherubin-Weekes of Jackie-O Incorporated, who is the PRO for YouthFest 2013 about the upcoming event.
YouthFest, which is short for Caribbean YouthFest, was founded by Mr. Omar David. It is an initiative with the aim of encouraging the development of talent among the youth. It is also a fundraiser, where the money that is made goes to institutions and communities in need of aid.
The event carries basically the same theme every year, as it has a specific objective, which is to help in elevating the youth.
“The theme of YouthFest is always positive vibes, promoting healthy lifestyles and positive living amongst the youth” Weekes told the STAR.
“What makes YouthFest stand out from other events is that our main focus is to bring the emergence of talent from the youth. It was first held in 2003, and has evolved from being just a concert to being a concert/competition from 2009.”
This year there will be three age categories by which the finalists for the event are classified. They are 0-13, 14-19 and 20-29. There are ten contestants in each category competing for prizes which include cash and trophies.
If that weren’t enough
incentive for participation, one person is chosen among the finalists, and will be crowned the overall Youth Star for the year (December 2013- December 2014).
The over all winner receives EC$10,000. All the participants get an appearance fee as well.
The STAR posed this question to Weekes: What can we expect from YouthFest 2013 that would make it better than previous years?
“From its inception, Omar David had the vision to include young people from other islands of the Caribbean to partake in YouthFest, hence the name Caribbean YouthFest. And this year for the first time, we are going to have participants from St. Vincent taking part. There will be two contestants for each of the age group categories representing the neighboring island.”
Also for the first time at YouthFest, there will be a dance competition. Three groups from Saint Lucia and one from St. Vincent will be competing for the prize of best dance group.
There will be a fashion show as YouthFest showcases two model agencies from the south, and as the climax of the event, the “Soca Party” will see Saint Lucia Soca monarch, Ricky T, coming up against Soca monarch of St. Vincent Skinny Fabulous. Ahead of the event organizers held the media launch this week at the National Cultural Centre with the sponsors and the contestants of the event present.
