Soca superstar Patrice Roberts delivered a powerful concert in Trinidad titled “Always Us” at the National Carnival Commission’s (NCC) Flava Food Village where more than 10,000 patrons gathered at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Wednesday night.

According to the NCC, an estimated 8,000 people filled the popular Carnival venue, with an additional 2,000 patrons enjoying the show from viewing screens along The Drag, creating an electric Carnival atmosphere despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day.

Roberts treated the audience to a high-energy set featuring many of her popular hits. At points during the show, she was joined on stage by fellow artistes, including Farmer Nappy and Shal Marshall, leading to several memorable moments that underscored the celebratory spirit of Carnival.

The concert was described by the artiste as a heartfelt “thank you” to her fans and supporters.

NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to partner with Roberts.

“We commend Patrice for her decision to give back in this meaningful way and applaud her commitment to ensuring that high-quality local entertainment remains accessible to everyone during the Carnival season, Mottley said.

“Our collaboration reinforces the NCC’s focus on creating memorable Carnival experiences that celebrate our artistes while removing financial barriers for the public,” she added.

(Photos courtesy NCC)

The NCC CEO noted that the Flava Food Village, one of two signature Carnival villages at the Savannah, alongside the John Cupid Carnival Village, is offered as a vibrant, inclusive space where patrons can enjoy food, culture, and nightly performances free of charge. She added that other NCC events, such as “Welcome to the Gayelle” represent the continuing work at delivering a successful Carnival 2026.

Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, and NCC Chairman, Peter Kanhai, also joined in celebrating the success of the evening.

Vendors at the Flava Food Village reported strong sales throughout the night, with many welcoming the large turnout as a boost to small and micro-enterprise participation, one of the NCC’s key objectives in establishing the villages.

David Baptiste, President of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association, described the night as a milestone for vendors at the Savannah.

“Last night was truly beautiful and something I have never seen before – an event of this magnitude in terms of crowd size, and people supporting the vendors. Many vendors sold out last night. We need more of this, and I am looking forward to the next event. Events like these are the way we will boost business for our vendors at the Savannah and make them truly feel part of the Carnival festival,” Baptiste said.