Relocation of the Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop Finals

Dear Valued Stakeholder, 

The National Cultural Foundation wishes to advise that the 2026 Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, powered by Q100.7 FM, will now be staged at CARIFESTA House, Waterford, St. Michael, on Friday, 31 July 2026, commencing at 8:00 p.m. 

The date and start time remain unchanged. 

The Finals were originally scheduled for Kensington Oval. Following the official announcement that the State Service of Thanksgiving for Barbados’ National Hero, The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St Auburn Sobers, NH, AO, OCC, will be held at Kensington Oval on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, the Foundation has had to revise the venue arrangements for the competition. 

The national farewell to Sir Garry is an occasion of profound significance to Barbados, the Caribbean and the wider cricketing world. The service will be conducted with the full ceremonial arrangements of a State Funeral and requires the close coordination of numerous state agencies and national stakeholders. 

Preparations for an occasion of this magnitude extend well beyond the hours of the service itself. They encompass exacting ceremonial, protocol, security, broadcast, technical and operational requirements, together with the careful preparation and subsequent restoration of the venue. Kensington Oval must therefore remain fully available to accommodate the national arrangements and ensure that Sir Garry receives the dignified farewell befitting his status as one of Barbados’ National Heroes. 

The short interval between Wednesday’s State Service and Friday’s Pic-O-De-Crop Finals does not provide the preparation and transition period required to deliver both occasions at Kensington Oval with the care, safety and professional standard each demands. Following a comprehensive assessment of the circumstances, relocation emerged as the most responsible means of preserving the Finals within the Crop Over calendar. 

CARIFESTA House is a newly established cultural venue which has already successfully accommodated several important presentations during the 2026 Crop Over season, including the Republic Bank Pan Yard Lime, Fusions and the Scotiabank Junior Monarch Finals. Its selection allows the Pic-O-De-Crop competition to proceed on its originally advertised date while the country fulfils the solemn national responsibility of honouring Sir Garry. 

The Foundation’s production, technical and operational teams are working intensively to configure the venue for the distinctive requirements of the Finals. Every relevant element, including staging, sound, lighting, audience movement, safety, accessibility, accreditation and supporting logistics, is being carefully reviewed and adapted to provide the strongest possible experience for competitors and patrons. 

The NCF recognises the considerable preparation already undertaken by the finalists, tent managers, musicians, arrangers, production partners, sponsors, vendors, media organisations and members of the public. We also appreciate that a change of venue at this stage may require adjustments across the festival community. The Foundation sincerely regrets any inconvenience arising from the relocation and is deeply grateful for the patience, flexibility and cooperation being extended during this exceptional national moment. 

This moment calls upon us to honour, with dignity and unity, the life of a National Hero while preserving the continuity of the calypso tradition through which generations of Barbadians have chronicled the life of our nation. The relocation allows both responsibilities to be met with the care and respect they deserve. 

The National Cultural Foundation remains fully committed to delivering a compelling and professionally produced Pic-O-De-Crop Finals worthy of the calypsonians, the competition and the people of Barbados. 

We thank you for your understanding, cooperation and continued support. 

Yours sincerely, 

National Cultural Foundation