After two years of restrictions and lockdowns, ease from the COVID-19 pandemic comes at a time when this country has started preparing to celebrate a major milestone.
Mere months before August 31, 2022, when Trinidad and Tobago will commemorate its 60th year of independence, COVID cases and deaths began decreasing.
As a result of what some are calling pandemic fatigue, many Trinbagonians are not taking the forthcoming celebrations for granted and Caesar’s Army has an event to help them celebrate.
“Now is the time that we have to see some positive, now is the time to see some light,” Caesar’s Army Ltd CEO Jules Sobion said yesterday.
Evoking the emotions citizens felt six decades ago and merging them with the freedom partygoers feel now, Caesar’s Army will host in.de.paint.dance, a beach J’Ouvert event, on the morning of Independence Day at Tyrico Bay.
“This year, in de paint is very special to the nation and our patrons, as we celebrate it under the iconic theme and the call to action to that is ‘I am Iconic,’” marketing and communication lead Elorne Duncan said of the event.
Duncan said the décor and food at the 13-year-old event will all represent the red, white, and black and so will the performances, but he did not want to give away the surprises.
“This is a true expression of who we are as a people, some people may want to say it’s just a fete but really and truly is people expressing their democratic right as a people,” he said.
However, his boss, Sobion, revealed that for the first time, they were able to get Kes the Band for the event.
“It always used to be clashing with Notting Hill (Carnival) and I was never able to catch him, but somehow for the 60th anniversary, we were able to solidify him and even with him being included in the cast, we are also trying to make it even more iconic by complementing him,” he said.
Sheryssa Gowrie said planning for the event, which will run from 2 am to 8 am at Tyrico Beach on August 31, began months before. However, she said they are still monitoring the COVID-19 cases and moneypox.
“We’re still going by the regulations, as much as they can in Jouvert…I think everybody will be in their own little sections,” Gowrie said.
Brand account manager Brittney Johnson encouraged partygoers to carpool where necessary.
“We also have partnerships with some of the rideshare services you can always get that, at the event there is secure parking,” she said.
Johnson said there will be a heavy security presence at the venue and lifeguards to protect those who want to bathe in the sea afterwards.
Up to one month ago, the Lifeguard Service Division said there were no lifeguards assigned to Tyrico Beach.
“As I said, safety is a top priority,” Duncan added.
Sobion said he has slowed down since his daughter was born but out of all the events, or as he calls them “iconic experiences” they host, in.de.paint.dance is his favourite and always will be.
This is because at 6 o’clock in the morning when the sun is about to rise, the National Anthem will be played.
Sobion said during that time, all that is seen is total unity and togetherness as everyone focuses their attention on the stage and sings proudly.
“To me, that is the most magical moment I have ever experienced in general in life,” he said.