By Val Matthias. Updated 8:26 a.m., Friday, March 20, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Chief Executive Officer of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) Rodney Small, has broken the silence surrounding the Miss SVG pageant, assuring the public that the iconic queen show will return during Carnival 2026.
Speaking on radio, Small acknowledged public concern over the lack of communication and delays in staging the event. “Persons have been warning about the silence, and I would apologize for the CDC, the board of directors and the beauty shows committee to the general public,” he said, adding that preparations are actively underway to deliver the show “everybody knows.”
The Miss SVG pageant, which was postponed last year due to scheduling clashes with cricket, elections, and the Christmas season, will now coincide with Carnival 2026. This year’s staging carries added significance as it marks the75th anniversary of Miss SVG, a milestone Small described as “critical” to celebrate.
He revealed that contestants were already “about 95% ready” before the postponement, and discussions are ongoing to retain the same batch of participants for the carnival edition.
Small emphasized that the CDC is regrouping and “going back to the drawing boards” to ensure the event lives up to expectations, promising that the queen show will return with the prestige and nostalgia that has defined Miss SVG for decades.
In 2025, the Miss SVG pageant faced delays and public criticism, with contestants already in training but the event ultimately postponed due to scheduling clashes and lack of communication from organizers. This silence drew sharp commentary from local media and audiences, setting the stage for Small’s 2026 apology and renewed commitment.
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