Ba celebrated the success of its first major community carnival in 1996, raising more than $60,000 for community projects and crowning a new carnival queen as the sugar town looked to reinvent itself beyond its traditional reliance on the sugar industry.
According to The Fiji Times of September 18, 1996, 21-year-old DAV College teacher Christabel Taylor, of Ba Riverside, was crowned Ba Carnival Queen after impressing judges and the community throughout the festival.
Sponsored by the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), Ms Taylor also claimed the Miss Charity title after raising $18,000. FSC also won the award for the best float during the carnival’s final-day parade.
Reflecting on her victory, Ms Taylor said the support she received from the people of Ba had exceeded her expectations.
“I am a newcomer to the town but the response from the people was marvellous. I have a lot of new friends now and the people just accepted me as one of them. This was very important to me.”
She said her mother would accompany her on her prize trip during the Christmas holidays.
Ms Taylor also encouraged more young women to take part in community carnivals.
“People should not enter with the wrong attitude. Sometimes people criticise you behind your back. But they don’t appreciate what you do for them,” she said.
“They come out expecting to be treated as a queen. You should look forward at enlarging your mind.”
Formerly known as the Bougainvillea Carnival, the festival attracted seven contestants competing for the crown.
Ba mayor Pradeep Chand described the event as a success, despite falling short of its $100,000 fundraising target.
