Cohobblopot is defined as a big pot into which is put various vegetables, provisions and meat and at the end of the ‘cook up’, the experience for the one to whom it is served is unforgettable! In Barbados there is a second Cohobblopot, this is the dish of local and international performers, stewed with lights, dancers, fireworks and a sound system that literally overwhelm the senses with goodness.

The euphoria from Calypso Monarch Popsicle’s popular win in the MQI, Banks, LIME Pic-O-de Crop Competition still lingered, as the thousands that streamed into Kensington Oval for the 2011 edition of Cohobblopot ‘The Ultimate Summer Show’ came to continue the party for the penultimate show of Crop Over..

The end of the National Anthem meant the start of the bacchanal. Bajan Soca Stars kicked off the production of which there were three segments. Pun De Road,  traced the Grand Kadooment from the early days, with images projected on the big screens situated at either side of the gigantic stage. Rising talent Reddman led the pack with Gorg, TC, Peter Ram, Mr. Dale, Alison Hinds, Blood, Ricky Manaj and Biggie Irie nicing up the stage.

The second segment The Monarchy was ‘Off The Chain’. A procession of the 2011 Monarchs starting with Popsicle, Sweet Soca Monarch, Red Plastic Bag and Party Monarch Mikey. There was a place for a queen as Miss Barbados/USA graced the stage ahead of the pride of all Bajan bands, Krosfyah. The ride that lead singers Edwin, Khiomal and Barry took their audience on was ecstatic; hit after hit flowed and the crowd responded to every instruction. What came next was indescribable.

The talk of The Return found place on Facebook, in newspapers and on the airwaves from early in the Crop Over season. What would be the reaction to Soca’s BIGGEST act Machel Montano ‘returning’ to headline Crop Over’s biggest fete stage? In a word …….phenomenal. Machel, Machel, Machel, was the chant that went up around the grounds, urging the Soca superstar to come to his people and when he did, the scenes that unfolded were akin to the biggest Rock concerts telecast. Appearances by Farmer Nappy, Zan and Patrice Roberts punctuated the ninety minute set which brought Cohobblopot to a boil for the Ultimate Party Experience. At the end of the production, it was home, change and off to Warrens for the Grand Kadooment.