This year, the volunteer event team opted to keep the Governor’s Room simple, with white chair covers, white tablecloths, and single Caribbean flowers as centerpieces. Models wearing traditional feathered and sequined carnival costumes added colour to the room when they escorted award winners into the room. “What we found last year when we introduced the models was that there was a clash between the colour on the table and the burst of colour coming into the room,” said Elizabeth Grimmond, who volunteered her time to plan the event, with the assistance of seven other volunteers. “So, to create the impact we hoped to achieve this year, we kept the decor on the table to a minimum.” Some 24 models were featured from four different carnival bands, or groups, that competed in the Grand Parade on Saturday. Models circulated in both the dining room and the Artifacts Room for the after-party.
While the dinner had an all-white palette, the cocktail and after-party in the Artifacts Room took on the colours the Caribbean is known for. Pink and red overhead lights illuminated the room and rainbow hues lit the walls. Two beaded chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
Music was an important factor for the event overall. “Every component of [Caribbean] arts is on this stage,” said Grimmond of the stage in the dining room. Entertainment included calypso performer Macomere Fifi, Pan Fantasy Steelband, and DJ Desmond Peters, flown in from a radio station in Trinidad and Tobago.
This year, the gala raised funds for the Dr. Rita Cox Endowment Fund. The event team met their goal of raising $10,000 from proceeds of the silent auction, raffle, swag bag sale, and donations.
