This year’s Sugar Festival in Lautoka encountered notable difficulties largely due to insufficient backing from the business community. Hem Raj, president of the Sugar Festival Committee, acknowledged that the lack of support hindered their ability to organize an event that reflects the spirit of the city’s flagship festival, a highly anticipated occasion for the community.
In recent years, the festival has seen a reduction in its venue, with activities being shifted to smaller locations around Lautoka. However, Raj and his team, who took over the festival organization last year, made a commitment to revitalize the event by reinstating it at its traditional venue, Churchill Park. While they managed to attract participation from smaller local enterprises, such as BBQ stall owners and juice vendors, the absence of support from larger businesses was evident.
Despite these challenges, Raj expressed gratitude for the involvement of smaller vendors and entertainment ride operators who brought excitement to the festival with new attractions. “Even with all of these really good features, we are still a charity event and it is meant to raise money,” Raj shared, revealing his disappointment that the total funds raised fell short of their goals.
While the committee successfully covered operational costs and managed payments to stall owners and entertainment providers, they faced difficulty in gathering sufficient funds for their charitable endeavors. Raj pointed out, “If we had the support we needed from the bigger business houses, we would have been able to reach our target.”
Reflecting on the festival, Raj maintained a positive outlook, noting that the return to a larger venue marked a significant achievement and a promising step towards reinstating community support for this cherished event.
The Sugar Festival has a rich history steeped in community engagement and charitable efforts. Although this year posed significant funding challenges, the dedication of the festival committee and local businesses fosters hope for a robust resurgence in the coming years. The festival continues to be a treasured tradition, reminding the residents of Lautoka of the importance of unity and support in celebrating their community’s spirit.