Ten contestants will vie for a chance to become the next St Patrick Emancipation King and Queen at the Naparima Bowl in San Fernando on Saturday. J&E Promotions, in collaboration with Nigerian High Commissioner, Musa John Jen, decided to take this year's competition to another level. After last year's competition, John Jen expressed the desire to take the show to a higher level by staging it at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad. But according to J&E co-ordinator, Emily Hoyte, the show has had a consecutive nine years of success and growth when it was staged at the China Gardens Restaurant and Lounge in Siparia.
She said she did not want to lose the southern patrons by taking a giant step to a Port-of-Spain venue. "Last year the Nigerian High Commissioner attended the show and he was impressed. He came to the decision that we could change the venue to the Hyatt, but the committee asked that we have it at the Naparima Bowl to accommodate the south crowd.
"However, we agreed to have the show at the Naparima Bowl, with a repeat version using the same delegates in a show at the Hyatt. Except it will not be a competition, but a fashion and talent show. "The High Commissioner would supply all the fashion clothes for the show," Hoyte explained. Over $10,000 is expected to be handed out in cash prizes, together with trips to Tobago and hampers. Hoyte said in the past the show has helped delegates to improve personal skills both academically and financially.