In thanking the company for their partnership, Parris said that the organizers were very happy for Digicel’s financial contribution, which he said would strengthen their resolve to take a new approach to the way the festival is planned and executed.

“The festival this year is taking a different approach, in terms of branding, means of promoting and the approach to the artistes” said Mr. Parris.

He reiterated that it will be a free concert and everyone should participate and support the local artistes.

“We need the people to come out and support. It is free. We will be using the traditional and new ways to promote this event, YouTube, Facebook, a street team, banners, posters and fliers” , said the promoter.

He added that in spite of all that was just said, to make the outcome of the event quite successful he is leaning on the media to spread the word.

“We are counting heavily this year on the support from the press, it is very important to get the word out to the communities. It is a free event so the challenge of course is to raise funds, and to have sponsors on board and I’m happy that all the press we approached have agreed to publicize the event”, said Parris.

Marketing Executive of Digicel, Jeanille Osbourne, congratulated the Home Grown Committee members and commended them for their time and dedication given to the event.

“I know it takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work, I know besides the committee you have your day to day job” said Ms. Osbourne.

She went on to mention why Digicel came on board as a sponsor.

“When they approached us at Digicel, we saw the enthusiasm and the passion they had for the event. Very often we do not ‘big up’ our own artistes in St. Kitts and Nevis, we look forward every June for the Music Festival, where we can go out and see acts from international and regional countries and get all excited” said Osbourne.

She then used the opportunity to invite the people of St. Kitts and Nevis to turn out in their large numbers on the long Independence Weekend, starting on National Hero’s Day.

“Right now, we are hearing a lot about crime in St. Kitts and Nevis, but now it’s time for us to promote something positive. Just recently we congratulated and we felt really proud of our boys over in South Korea, at the World Games, so come out and feel proud of our local artistes” said the Marketing executive.

She ended by saying, Digicel is very proud to be sponsors of the event and will be there to do some ‘fabulous promotions’ and to ‘red up de place’.

She then invited Marketing Manager, Ms. Marsha Lindo Chattejee, to present the check to Chairperson of the event, Mr. Ian Veira aka Crucial Bankie.

The check was in the amount of $10,000.

Meanwhile, Bankie’s colleague, Parris, also thanked the Ministry of Culture for also coming on-board and for putting the event on the calendar of events for the independence celebrations.

Parris took the opportunity to express appreciation for added sponsorship being received by other local businesses, such as TDC, CARIB, MiyVue.com, Choice FM, Solid Waste Management Corporation, ODB, SKN Entertainment, GETZ.

“The event will be staged similar to the Music Festival,” said Parris.

He sent out an invitation to corporate St. Kitts, to join their cause and give their support.

Parris also mentioned the crime rate in the federation and added that this event can be a solution to that problem.

“There is something very drastic taking place in our society and everybody is talking about it, the crime, but there is also a positive solution.”

“We at home, we want to provide a channel, stage or platform, for the youth to stage their talent and hopefully we would be able to internationalize it”, said Mr Romeo Parris.