Vendors at the Flow Oistins Fish Festival have described this year’s patronage and sales as “disappointing” and “poor”, and have called for a revamp of the event, which they fear is in decline.
When Barbados TODAY visited several stalls on Sunday afternoon, one irate toy vendor who did not want to be identified said: “I made $80 yesterday and not a cent yet today, and look around, there are hardly any people here, much less buying, so it is highly unlikely that I will make back what I paid for this spot.”
Another vendor suggested that limited advertising may be affecting turnout, noting that some patrons were unaware the festival was taking place.
“For the past three days it has been really dead, and it has been very disappointing. I had persons coming up and saying that they did not even know that today was Oistins (Fish Festival). There is not much going on even in the evenings. I pray and hope that things will pick up where people come out and enjoy themselves and purchase a couple of items but for right now, it is really terrible. This is the worst it has ever been.”
She added that more traditional activities and events geared towards children should be included in the programme.
Veteran vendor Angelina Powell-Austin, who has been part of the festival for more than four decades, also lamented the low turnout.
“So far, (it’s) boring, dead. It [wasn’t] like this years ago, but I know everything has to change. I was in this for 43 years. I started off with food and then craft, but it has been declining over the years. On a Saturday, we used to make back all of the money we spent… We used to pack up our things and go home and come back on Monday, which used to be all profits, but now every year it is getting worse and worse,” she said.
At a nearby plant stall, Lateisha Edwards described sales as “extremely slow”, despite some interest from potential buyers browsing the selection of plants and seedlings.
“This is probably one of the worst Oistins Fish Festivals we have had over the last 15 years since we have been here. The traffic on Friday was much [heavier] than the other days, and we are hoping that sales will pick up sometime soon,” she stated.
One jewellery vendor, in her fourth year at the festival, remained hopeful.
“It is not what I expected, but I am still optimistic that things will get better as we go. Business is a gamble and you come here and do the best that you can, and what the people can afford, they will buy and support you, and at least you have a way to advertise what you have as well and people will meet you afterwards and buy something. There is always hope,” she said.
Fruit and vegetable vendor Shiann Harvey also reported lower-than-usual sales, noting that she would typically be sold out by Easter Sunday.
“I am just hoping that things will pick up and will be better. I feel there needs to be more entertainment and more things to draw people’s attention so that it will draw life back to the festival,” she stated.
