Members of the newly-formed St. Eustatius Carnival Committee (from left) Ortix Spanner, Elisbert Schmidt, Charmaine George, Petra Lens, Ché “DJ Sense” Farrell, Claudette Spanner, committee president Marlon Hook, Amanda Schmidt and Dwayne “Butch” Lindo.\\
ST. EUSTATIUS--Since the St. Eustatius Arts and Cultural Heritage Foundation made it known that it no longer held an interest in organising Statia Carnival, the St. Eustatius Musical Foundation, representing all bands on the island, and Lions Club St. Eustatius, owner and operator of Ernest van Putten Youth Centre/Lions’ Den, have decided to team up in organising Statia Carnival 2020.
For this purpose, they have revamped the dormant St. Eustatius Carnival Foundation, which will have a board consisting of two members appointed by the Musical Foundation and two members appointed by the Lions Club. The fifth member, who will also be the foundation’s president, was appointed jointly.
The new board consists of Amanda Schmidt and Dwayne “Butch” Lindo on behalf of the Lions Club and Elisbert Schmidt and Ortix Schmidt on behalf of the Musical Foundation.
Marlon Hook has been appointed president. It will be his first responsibility to form a Carnival Committee. For this purpose, he is to select qualified and experienced members of the Statia community who will commit themselves to do all that is necessary to make Carnival a success in 2020 and the years beyond.
From left: Government Commissioner Marcolino “Mike” Franco with partners in the newly-formed St. Eustatius Carnival Foundation president of the St. Eustatius Musical Foundation Winston Fleming, president of the St. Eustatius Lions Club Nicolaas “Koos” Sneek and president of the newly formed Carnival Committee Marlon Hook.
The Carnival Committee comprises Ortix Spanner, Elisbert Schmidt, Charmaine George, Petra Lens, Ché “DJ Sense” Farrell, Claudette Spanner, Amanda Schmidt and Dwayne “Butch” Lindo.
This set-up has the approval of the public entity St. Eustatius, according to Government Commissioner Marcolino “Mike” Franco. Members of the Carnival Foundation and Committee met with Franco at his office at the Government Guesthouse.
The public entity will make an annual subsidy available. The Carnival Foundation is to prepare and submit a budget soon. The government subsidy is to be supplemented with fundraisers, which the foundation intends to start in the very near future. “It is the intention to keep the cost for the public to attend the events during Carnival at an affordable level,” Hook said.
The Carnival Foundation said it is looking forward to a good working relationship with booth-holders, carnival troops, promoters, bands, performers and everyone involved in Statia’s Carnival.
When Carnival was at a virtual standstill, Hook took it upon himself to host Summerfest to give the Statia community and visitors “a great time” during summer. He hosted the event for several years until the former Carnival Committee took up the mantle.
Hook also hosted several other events in Statia throughout the years, such as last year’s Glory Experience which consisted of three days of music, dancing and laughter, bringing dormant bands back to the stage.
