Tian "The Winter Man" Winter (Photos by Eustace Samuel / OBSERVER Media)

St. John’s Antigua- Holding any activity for the first time comes with its own set of challenges but performers at Antigua & Barbuda’s newest fete “Flags” gave a positive first impression to many that is bound to be lasting.

Claudette Peters and Taxik and Tian Winter and his Iconic Band put on performances that one spectator described as “excellent.” From Dominica, the legendary WCK Band was the first major act on stage, after Tizzy and her El-A-Kru did not show for the event. So WCK, known for their hit, Balance Batty, had the challenge of warming up a swelling crowd at Yasco’s Sports Complex last Friday night.

By the time Claudette Peters came on stage the crowd was ready to go. The reigning Groovy Monarch champion delivered a colossal performance evidenced by how the audience hung on every note and followed each command.

The artist told OBSERVER Media that she was “most definitely” pleased with her performance, praising her team and crediting hard work for the accomplishment.

Flags were flying high throughout Yasco Sports Complex last weekend

“My band, my dancers and myself have worked really hard,” she said. “Over the years it has been a learning process and I think we have now come to terms to with what it takes to make the people move.

“Every time I perform I feel it necessary to pull up my game,” the soca diva added.

She also endorsed “Flags”, describing the event put on by Wadadli Events Promotions as a wonderful way of bringing all the nationalities that reside in Antigua & Barbuda together.

Tian Winter, too, endorsed the first annual event while on stage and asked promoters to continue holding the fete. Off stage he had another word of endorsement, this time for his own performance.

“I had fun, it was awesome. The crowd was responsive from beginning to end and I can go home now and sleep well knowing that I delivered to the people,” he said.

Winter, a “ladies man”, spent a lot of his performance serenading that portion of the audience with his soulful and arguably titillating groovy renditions. With his charisma he was able to lead a choir of female fans to sing each of his songs word for word.

Ricardo Drue, Benjii from Dominica and Super Mario were the other performers of note.

For the thousands of party lovers who attended Flags the event was more than just another reason to indulge in the pre-Carnival festivitie; it was also an opportunity to demonstrate the diversity that exists in Antigua & Barbuda.

Jamaican, Dominicans, Guyanese, Vincentians, Trinidadians, and Antiguans & Barbudans were among the countries proudly represented at the event that ended in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Event coordinator Jamal Pringle said the fete was much more than just nationalities – businesses, other groups and crews too were free to demonstrate their flags at the event.

Pringle said, from a managerial and organisational point of view, the event was successful, although he thought that being a first-time event, patrons might have been sceptical to attend.

Wadadli Events Promotions, which also organises the all-inclusive fete A lo ha will stage Flags on an annual basis.