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    Newly crowned St. Vincent and the Grenadines Calypso Monarch Chanique Bailey on Saturday, Aug. 15, headlined the massive, picture-perfect Vincy Day USA Picnic at the picturesque Heckscher State Park in East Islip, Suffolk County, Long Island. Bailey, a newcomer in the calypso arena, on July 5, not only lifted the Calypso Monarch Crown at Independence Park, in Kingstown, the Vincentian capital, during the grand finale of the Vincy Mas Calypso Competition, but also lifted up the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent.  Singing “Lift Me Up,” Bailey — who, in June, also entered the preliminary judging of the Dynamite Calypso Tent in Brooklyn for the very first time — became the first calypsonian from the only Vincentian calypso tent in North America to wear the prestigious crown. On Saturday, she not only wore the crown throughout her stage performances but also demonstrated to picnic-goers why she defeated several former monarchs and veteran calypsonians on her way to winning the title in her native land, including defending monarch Raeon “Madzart” Primus.   Bailey — who co-owns the Brooklyn-based Magma Band, a Caribbean Fusion Band, with her Vincentian-born husband Adrian Bailey, a renowned musical arranger and producer — sang “Lift Me Up,” as well as hits from several former and extant Vincentian calypsonians and Soca artistes, including erstwhile Soca Monarch Poorsah, whom she described as “a legend.” [caption id="attachment_85001" align="aligncenter" width="700"]The crowd cheers behind the barricade at the Vincy Day USA Picnic. The crowd cheers behind the barricade at the Vincy Day USA Picnic.Nelson A. King[/caption] Bailey and other calypsonians and Soca artistes were backed, during the day-long extravaganza, by the Magma Band, with her husband on keyboards.  “It was a great feeling, great performing before the crowd,” Bailey told Caribbean Life afterwards. “Everybody wants to know what I have for next year. “I look forward to Vincy Mas next year,” she added. “There’s great anticipation. It was an amazing kick-off.” Vincentian carnival officials were on hand on Saturday to kick-off “Vincy Mas 2027, the Road to 50” that would commemorate the 50th anniversary of the national festival.  “We feel honored because this is a special moment for a milestone,” Adrian Bailey also told Caribbean Life. “We have many things to change. We must think of the new times, but we can do it. “It’s about embracing change,” he added. “So, this is the beginning.”  Among other Soca and calypso artistes who entertained the party-loving crowd were Former Vincy Calypso Monarch De Man Age; Rejector, president of the Dynamite Calypso Tent; Scorcher; Curtis C; Lively; Fusion; Shanny D; Stamina Smurf; Prezzi Don; Zoelah, Marlo; Blama; Man Kemmy; Skarpyon.  [caption id="attachment_84999" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Fusion, Vincy Ragga Soca Monarch 2026. Fusion, Vincy Ragga Soca Monarch 2026.Nelson A. King[/caption] Skarpyon put the party crowd in a frenzy with, among others, his signature “Hammer”, as well as “Leave Me Alone” and “Drink a Rum.”  “Ladies, I can come over, but I don’t want you to tear off my one jacket,” exclaimed Skarpyon before taking off his “one jacket,” as the ladies screamed.  [caption id="attachment_85000" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Fans get close-up with Skarpyon. Fans get close-up with Skarpyon.Nelson A. King[/caption] Junior Ince, Brother Dan, and Minister LaFleur Durrant-Sprott highlighted the Gospel Segment. In the picture-perfect weather, with a high around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, thousands of Vincentians across the United States converged on the Camp Grounds for the spectacle.  Other Caribbean nationals also joined the festivities, trekking from as far as Canada, among other places, to participate in the celebration, and to meet and greet relatives and friends at the 1,657-acre (6.71 km2) state park on the shore of the Great South Bay in Suffolk County. The event featured a kaleidoscope of colors — including the Vincentian national colors, green, gold (yellow) and blue — and a potpourri of Vincy dishes. Naphtali Duncan, of NTP Eventz, who hails from Lowmans Leeward in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, told Caribbean Life that he’s been attending the grand picnic for the past three years. “It’s beautiful,” he said. "You indulge yourself in the community; it’s unity." “You have fun,” Duncan added. People you have not seen in years — you see the love.”  Newly appointed St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Roland “Patel” Matthews made his maiden address at the picnic, stating that the event marked a “significant milestone” for him.  He extended a “warm welcome” to the thousands of nationals and friends of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in attendance and gave special recognition to a high-level delegation from home, including Minister of Culture Kasaka Cupid and Luann Hadaway, who represented the National Lotteries Authority.  “The presence of Rodney Small and Colin Graham from the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) further underscored the event's cultural significance,” Matthews told Caribbean Life afterwards. [caption id="attachment_84998" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Co-MC Colin Graham, left, and stage manager Garry Co-MC Colin Graham, left, and stage manager Garry "Tunkia" Edwards.Nelson A. King[/caption] In his address, the consul general commended the “relentless efforts” of the organizers and volunteers who transformed the park into a “home-away-from-home” each year.  Addressing the future growth of the gathering, he emphasized the power of volunteerism, while extending an open invitation to critics of the event to join in the planning process.  “Constructive participation is the bridge between where we are and where we want to be,” he said, urging the community to channel its passion into “collaborative improvements for the years ahead.”  However, the highlight of the consul general’s address was the “forward-looking announcement” regarding the “Road to 2027.”  He officially heralded this year’s festivities as the beginning of the countdown to the 50th anniversary of Vincy Mas being shifted from the pre-Lenten season to the summer months of June and July.  [caption id="attachment_85002" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Consul General Roland Consul General Roland "Patel" Matthews, with, left to right, Desma King, Lilly Louis and Laurolyn Adams-Zhou.Nelson A. King[/caption] Matthews said this upcoming golden jubilee is expected to be the largest cultural homecoming in the nation's history.  “I am encouraging every Vincentian in the Diaspora to start planning your journey home for 2027,” he said. “Do not just come alone; bring a non-Vincentian friend to experience the magic of our hospitality and culture that SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) has to offer.  “Let us show the world the true depth of our heritage,” he added, describing Vincy Day 2026 as “a tremendous success.” “The spirit of unity displayed on Saturday serves as the perfect foundation for the ambitious cultural milestones awaiting the nation on the horizon,” Matthews continued. Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock and Culture Minister Kaschaka Cupid also attended the Vincy Day USA Picnic but did not address the crowd.  Atiba Williams, who with Colin Graham, deputy chair of the local Carnival Development Committee (CDC), served as co-Masters of Ceremonies for the entertainment segment, told Caribbean Life that the Vincy Day Picnic was “a good vibe. “Glad to see Vincentians from all over reconnecting with friends and families,” said Williams, who is also chair of the Vincy Launch New York Committee. “The Vincy Day Committee, Vincy Mas Committee and CDC — that was a good collaboration. It was a good collaboration to launch Vincy Mas at Vincy Day.  “We’re looking forward to a bigger and better Vincy Day next year,” he added. “All in all, people seemed to enjoy the Vincy Day — being as good as they are — no violence. We’re grateful, very happy for that.”    Garry “Tunka” Edwards, a spokesperson for the Brooklyn-based Vincy Day USA, Inc. and stage manager at the Vincy Day Picnic, said his committee’s mission is “to unite the Diaspora from SVG.  “One of our main objectives is to not just promote but to preserve our culture by keeping our tradition alive by way of music, art, food, you name it,” he said. “Vincy Day USA Picnic is the largest gathering outside of  SVG. The Committee strives annually to provide a welcoming space for fellowship, networking and family gathering.
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