Officials from the Carnival Development Committee (CDC), the Ministry of Culture and Department of Diaspora Affairs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as representatives from the Brooklyn-based New York Carnival Launch Committee, were present both on Friday, Aug. 14, and the next day, Vincy Day USA, for the kick-off of “Vincy Mas 2007: Road to 50.” “Coming out of Vincy Mas 2026, we are extremely encouraged by the tremendous turnout and support we received," Colin Graham, CDC deputy chairman, said during a live streaming on Friday of the kick-off ceremony at the New York-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consulate General. "Vincentians at home, our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, returning nationals and visitors came together in tremendous numbers and demonstrated once again the enormous potential of Vincy Mas." The streaming was moderated by former radio personality and journalist Toni Johnson, a member of the Vincy Mas New York Launch Committee. “And while we are satisfied with what was achieved in 2026, we are not satisfied to simply repeat it,” Graham said. “We believe Vincy Mas 2027 can and must be bigger, stronger, and better. “This new Board of Directors understands that if Vincy Mas is going to grow, then the CDC itself must be prepared to adjust, evolve and sometimes do things differently,” he added. “That means changes will come. Some of those changes may be welcomed immediately. Others may take time to understand and embrace. But we cannot be afraid to try new ideas simply because we have always done things a particular way. “We have to be willing to experiment, to listen, to evaluate what works and what does not work, and then make the necessary adjustments,” Graham continued. “We will not get everything perfect on the first attempt, but if we work together, we can discover the best strategy for taking Vincy Mas forward.” Importantly, he said the CDC “will continue to listen,” that the CDC will “engage our cultural practitioners, promoters, entertainers, mas bands, calypsonians, Soca artistes, pan players, communities, private sector, tourism stakeholders and our Diaspora because everyone has a stake in the future of this festival.” In addition, Graham said the CDC wants “corporate St. Vincent and the Grenadines to begin looking at Vincy Mas not simply through the narrow lens of profit and loss, but through the much wider lens of national development. “When Vincy Mas succeeds, the benefits extend far beyond the CDC,” he said. “Our hotels benefit. Our restaurants benefit. Taxi operators, vendors, designers, musicians, DJs, photographers, videographers, promoters, bars, supermarkets, airlines and countless small businesses benefit. People get work. Businesses generate income. Visitors come to our shores. Money circulates throughout our communities. “That is why supporting Vincy Mas should not be seen simply as sponsoring an event,” he added. “It is an investment in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “As we approach 50 years since the historic transition to the June-July celebrations, we have an opportunity to do more than commemorate an anniversary,” Graham continued. “We have an opportunity to begin shaping what the next 50 years of Vincy Mas should look like. And that journey includes you, our Vincentian Diaspora. “We don't only want you to come home,” he said. "We want you to be ambassadors for Vincy Mas. Bring your friends. Bring your families. Bring your colleagues. Bring someone who has never visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines and let them discover what we have to offer. The ‘Road to 50’ is, therefore, not simply a CDC campaign; it is a national journey.” Minister of Culture Kaschaka Cupid said Vincy Mas 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of the national carnival, “making it a significant milestone in our cultural history. “Our objective is to make this anniversary celebration bigger, stronger, more inclusive and more internationally visible. “We are starting the promotion early because the Road to Vincy Mas 2027 begins now,” he said. “We want Vincentians at home and abroad to see themselves as part of this historic celebration. We want the world to increasingly recognize Vincy Mas as a distinctive and exciting Caribbean carnival experience. “Carnival is not simply entertainment — it is an important economic and tourism product,” Cupid added. “When visitors come for Vincy Mas, the benefits extend to hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, vendors, entertainers, designers, promoters and many other businesses. “Our ministry will, therefore, continue strengthening the relationship between culture, tourism, and the creative industries,” he continued. “Vincy Mas 2027 must create greater opportunities for our artistes, entrepreneurs, and cultural practitioners to earn from their talent.” The minister urged Vincentians throughout New York, the wider United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and across the Diaspora to begin planning from now on. “Save the date. Book early. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Come home to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Cupid said. “In 2027, we are inviting the world to come home, feel the energy, experience our culture and celebrate 50 years of Vincy Mas with us. “Vincy Mas 2027 — 50 years of culture, creativity, color and celebration,” he added. “SVG, get ready. The world, get ready.” Sharon Jones, senior advisor for Diaspora Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs, said her department was “so thrilled” to partner with the Vincy Day USA Committee, the CDC, and the Vincy Mas Launch Committee in New York, “as we begin our ‘Road to 50’ campaign.” Jones said the Department of Diaspora Affairs launched an “exciting new digital initiative” at the Vincy Day USA Picnic at Heckscher State Park in Long Island: the official Diaspora Registration QR Code. She said the code will serve as the department’s primary data collection tool. “It is designed to better connect us with you,” Jones said. “By scanning the code, you can quickly share key details with us, such as where you reside, which community back home you hail from, your professional expertise, etc. “Additionally, this QR code serves as a resource hub for you, providing instant access to contact information, addresses and details for our main office, as well as all of our embassies and consulates worldwide,” she added. Richard MacLeish, director, USA, SVG Tourism Authority, said the authority was fully supporting the CDC and the Diaspora committees on the “Road to 50.” “Our support is deliberate in that Vincentians abroad, and everyone in their circle, are among our highest-converting visitors,” he said. “It is why we are investing in sustaining that relationship all year round, inclusive of Vincy Mas. “'Road to 50' will certainly build momentum to a milestone year for Vincy Mas,” MacLeish added. “We see it as a great opportunity for the Diaspora to enjoy the carnival celebrations and immerse themselves in the wider destination experiences — the sailing, the islands, the food, the heritage. We are aiming to make the rest of the trip as amazing as ‘Vincy Mas 50’ will be.” St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Roland “Patel” Matthews said the Consulate General was “proud to support the promotion of Vincy Mas 2027 in the United States, especially within the Vincentian Diaspora and friends of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “Return home, celebrate and support local artistes and businesses,” he urged. “Share the beauty and vibrancy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Bring a friend to Vincy Mas 2027—50 years of culture, creativity and celebration. “I’m inviting all in making this the biggest and most memorable carnival yet,” Matthews added. Garry “Tunka” Edwards, spokesperson for Vincy Day USA, Inc. and stage manager at the Vincy Day USA Picnic, said his organization welcomes “this collaboration and hopes, by joining forces, the community at large can see what working together looks like.” Atiba Williams, chair of the New York Vincy Mas Launch Committee, told Caribbean Life that Friday’s streaming was “excellent, because we wanted to get the word out for jump-starting the ‘Road to 50.’”