By Admin. Updated 11:27 a.m., Thursday, June 20, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The winner of the 2024 Soca Monarch will receive a prize of $60,000 in cash, a change from the $25,000 and a vehicle prize previously given.
Last year, a Suzuki Swift valued at XCD $43,000 and a cash prize of $23,000 were given to the winner of the competition – Mr. Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hopper, the CDC said, but this year, the CDC has moved to increasing the cash value of the soca monarch prize.
Prizes for other CDC competitive shows have also been increased for 2024.
The announcements were made this morning (June 20) by Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) – Mr. Ricardo Adams who was speaking at a press conference.
Mr. Adams said the first place winner of the soca monarch will receive $60,000 in cash, the second place will receive $30,000, $15,000 for the third place, and $10,000 for the fourth place.
The appearance fees for soca monarch will also move from $16,000 to $35,000 meaning that each individual performer at the competition will receive $5,000.
Soca Monarch 2024 tickets will go on sale from tomorrow, Friday, June 21, 2024 with early bird tickets for $40 and a new feature called a crew package where groups of 20 people can purchase tickets for $30 each at the early bird rate.
The increase in the soca monarch prize is part of a general increase in prizes across all components which amounts to about 30 percent, from $650,000-$750 to now $950,000 in prizes.
The issue of increase in prize monies for some CDC shows has been a matter of public discussion and contention for some time with several artistes boycotting the competitions in recent years.
The last general increase in prize monies was in 2012 with pan seeing its last increase in 2008.
Mr. Adams said the CDC (which is a statutory body) approached the government again about increase in prizes and there was a lot of robust discussion.
He said Cabinet, yesterday (June 19) granted the general increase in prize monies for all components.
Mr. Adams said additional funds have also been granted to the CDC to settle outstanding amounts owed to vendors.
Mr. Adams thanked the government, the minister of culture, the Cabinet, the CDC team and all involved in the process.
Vincymas will be held from Friday June 28th and end on Tuesday July 9th, 2024.
Increases for other components
Calypso payouts will move from $94,000 to $123,000 with appearance fees covering from $44,000 to $63,000. For the individual calypso monarch prizes, the first place winnings will move from $25,000 to $30,000 in 2024.
The 2024 Ragga Soca Monarch winner will receive $30,000, the second place will get $15,000, the third place will get $10,000, and this year will see the introduction of a fourth place spot, the winner of which will receive a $7,500 prize.
Road March 2024 will not see an increase, but there will be a cash prize for the second place winner.
Junior Monarchs will also see and increase.
Overall Panorama payouts will move from $117,000 to $173,000, and individual panorama appearances fees will also increase.
Jouvert payouts will move from $11,500 to $15,000.
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