The National Carnival Commission (NCC) is boosting security for this year’s shorter Carnival season, with Chairman Peter Kanhai promising strong turnout and unveiling plans for a new year-round Carnival initiative.
In an exclusive interview with TTT News, Mr. Kanhai noted that through collaborative efforts with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Commission is fully equipped to provide security for all attendees.
“Every Tuesday, there have been meetings with the security apparatus with the TTPS, with the Gold Commander, Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin. Those meetings have been ongoing on a weekly basis, addressing all aspects of security, not just for here in the Savannah but across Port of Spain and across the country.”
Despite a shorter-than-usual Carnival season and a condensed calendar of events, Mr. Kanhai anticipates a strong public turnout for this year’s list of events.
“So Carnival this year is mid February, 16th and 17th, and Carnival in 2027 is somewhere around the 7th and 8th and the 8th and 9th of February, so it’s even earlier, but there have been Carnivals almost to the end of January, the 3rd and 4th of February, so I think the Carnival stakeholders are accustomed to adjusting to the periods for Carnival.”
Mr. Kanhai added that with the expected launch of a new initiative dubbed “Carnival 365,” tourists can soon take full advantage of a year-round calendar of Carnival events, expanded outside the confines of the traditional Carnival season.
“At any point in time of the year, say a cruise ship comes in in the middle of the year, there is space where they can get a taste of Carnival so if they come here in August, September, a taste of Carnival which is part of the plan that we have for that new space over there that is called Flavour Village.”
Mr. Kanhai is confident that patrons and vendors will enjoy all aspects of the greatest show on earth.
He also allayed any fears about the readiness of the facilities at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
“We have all of the staples that normally depict Carnival in any given year. So, you have the pan, the mas, the soca and the calypso, the chutney. You also have the stick fighting and all those other things which are the staples of Carnival. So, all of them, and as you’ve seen here, where we are in the Savannah, preparations are in full swing. The North Stand behind you there is almost up. The village, the John Cupid Village, is up and on the other side, east of the Grand Stand, we have something new called the Flavour Village.”
With over 40 vendors and food trucks, patrons of the Flavour Village will enjoy local culinary delights and nightly entertainment.
Mr. Kanhai noted that vendors who usually utilise the Savannah weekly have also been integrated into the culinary village.
“The new board was looking for things that we could tweak, move around, change, add different things to and there was the proposal to create a space that people can come, patronise the people running the booths, the culinary and so on while at the same time, relax in a safe space and be entertained.”
The NCC Chairman said the Board has been successful in utilising stringent financial controls when negotiating with vendors for seasonal infrastructure and other goods and services.
“In the negotiations held between the NCC’s team and the selected contractors, the North Stand is going up at a price that is about 40% cheaper than it was in 2025, without changing anything in the North Stand. The stage is also going up at a price that is between 40 to 45% cheaper than it was in 2025, again without changing anything on the stage. It was just a matter of negotiations and making sure that we get value for money.”
The John Cupid Carnival Village will open on Friday, January 9th, the day after the Flavour Village’s official opening.
Mr. Kanhai encouraged the nation to immerse itself in the festivities, from community events to the heart of Carnival at the Queen’s Park Savannah, as the country celebrates the greatest show on earth.