Organizers of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival are introducing a series of logistical improvements aimed at easing congestion and enhancing the overall experience for patrons at this year’s event.
Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire outlined the measures ahead of the festival, confirming that expanded entry points and revised traffic management plans will be implemented at the Marchand Grounds.
“At the opening of Jazz, I think we’re going to create an additional gate,” Hilaire said.
“We’ve got these five new entrants, five new feeders into it to try and increase it because last year, you know, the challenge we had, essentially we had two gates, the main gate and the sound stand.”
He explained that the new arrangements are designed to improve the flow of patrons into the venue.
“We’re going to make some changes, so we’re going to add a new gate so we can process faster,” he noted.
Reflecting on last year’s strategies, the minister pointed to crowd control measures that yielded positive results.
“Last year, we tried the snake at Pigeon Point National Landmark and that worked quite well, so again, we’re going to look to see how we can process quicker,” he said. “We want to spend less time on lines and more time in the venue.”
However, Hilaire stressed that infrastructure improvements alone will not resolve congestion challenges without public cooperation.
“If we can just get people to cooperate and follow the instructions and the directions given by the police, it will be a much more pleasant experience,” he said.
He urged patrons to comply with traffic and security guidelines, even where delays may occur.
“It might mean you waiting, waiting, slow moving traffic, but in the end it is better,” he explained.
The minister also cautioned against attempts to bypass established systems, warning that such behaviour can undermine the entire operation. “Saint Lucians have this cultural thing that everybody believes they know a shortcut, they know a way to get to the front and make it move. It ends up in chaos,” Hilaire remarked.
The planned adjustments form part of a broader effort to improve event management and ensure that one of the island’s premier cultural showcases continues to deliver a safe and efficient experience for both locals and visitors.