The end of a decade finds the beginning of a marriage between Peter & Company Distribution (PCD) and the Cultural Development Foundation CDF). For the first time in Saint Lucian history, the popular National Lantern Competition saw its first Dutch Lady Innovative Lantern category.
This new category challenged the most creative and artistic minds, as participants were asked to use tins, one of the old traditional materials which were used to construct lanterns in the past. To enter the Dutch Lady Innovative Lantern Competition, each participant had to purchase five or more Dutch Lady 405 g Evaporated Milk or tea tins, include the Dutch Lady label exhibiting the logo and create a winning design to capture any of the top three prizes.
Prizes up for grabs were as follows: $1,000 for the winner, $600 for second place, and $400 for third place, respectively.
During the Festival of Light Ceremony held at Derek Walcott Square on the evening of Thursday, December 12, prizes were handed out to the three top places, namely Joy Grant (first place), Gary Butte (second place) and Kurt Peter (third place).
Despite only six lanterns being presented to the judges in the new category, PCD is nonetheless encouraged by the high level of creativity that went into the lanterns. We applaud all those who entered the competition and encourage such creativity that serves to highlight our brand. However, we implore our participants to start creating their lanterns early in the New Year so that greater participation is realized.
Not only was Dutch Lady branding very evident at the Derek Walcott Square on the evening, but PCD ensured that the children enjoyed the bouncy castle branded with Dutch Lady. Boxes of milk were also distributed to the youngsters.
As agents and distributors of Dutch Lady Milk in Saint Lucia, PCD was excited to be part of this year’s National Lantern Festival and hopes to partner with the CDF in the future to ensure that our national lantern traditions continue to be a vital part of our Saint Lucian life.