A Sweet Taste of Buccoo

Viewers near and far were able to experience the 2022 A Taste of Buccoo event as ICT solutions provider, bmobile, partnered with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to support the traditional Easter experience and ensure its longevity.

The event, which was held recently, was enjoyed by many who were able to choose their experience—either to view it in-person or online—since it was streamed from the Buccoo Integrated Facility located in the picturesque seaside village, courtesy bmobile.

While the massive cultural event did not happen for the past two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year, through the vision of the Chief Secretary, a suitably scaled event, aptly titled A Taste of Buccoo was hosted.
THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said he was pleased with the partnership.

He described the event as phenomenal

In fact, it went even better than we anticipated, we are seeing much larger numbers than we thought we would have gotten at such a last minute. The numbers show that Tobagonians wanted this, that our visitors were looking for that additional activity but more than that, we need to send a clear signal that Tobago is ready, and our economy is now fully open, and we are ready to do business, we are ready to entertain our visitors.”

He said to him, the online viewership told an even greater story than the physical presence.
“We perhaps had more people viewing online than physically present and the place was full. So that tells me that just by virtue of being online—having drone footage overhead of the races and having good commentary going, lively hosts, interviews running throughout the day, having a sense of the festivities being projected online – that in itself is a marketing tool that we cannot measure. A marketing tool for next year’s major event, for all the events that are to come.”

Assistant Secretary in the THA Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Assemblyman Megan Morrison in welcoming the viewers urged them to enjoy what was being offered.

“Easter in Tobago will never be complete without our goat and crab racing and this year will be no different as we are once again opening up the island in so many ways. Although the activities will be somewhat scaled-down because of the times we are in, I sincerely wish that all of us will enjoy and appreciate the efforts of the organisers in keeping this age-old tradition alive and ever-present as an attraction for the benefit of all, and especially the island’s tourism thrust.”
The day’s event included 15 goat races, which ended with a champ of champ’s title. This title was awarded to jockey Doniel Kerr with his goat, British. The duo participated in three races in total.

The goat’s owner, Andre Thomas, of Milford Court in Bon Accord, said he was confident in the overall win. He explained he has been training the animal for the past three weeks, as this was its first entry into the annual event. However, he noted the key to walking away with the title was the jockey himself.

“I had confidence in the goat and also the jockey, I had confidence. The jockey is a seasoned athlete and when you have the kind of confidence in your goat and your jockey, the rest is all up to God.”
The event also included a street parade which highlighted a number of costumed Carnival characters and bélé dancers, as well as a maypole dance, while an evening concert brought the curtains down.

One first-timer to the event, British national Gwen Swanson, said she thoroughly enjoyed the event.
“I think it is just good fun after all that the world has experienced over the past two years. I have always heard about the goat and crab racing festival but never experienced it. I will definitely be back.”