Chewstick’s Good Friday celebrations at Horseshoe Bay are back on after Government issued a last-minute permit for the event.The about-face comes a day after the charity cancelled the annual event, claiming the Department of Parks ignored repeated requests to host KiteFest at the popular beach on March 29.Meanwhile local companies KeyTech, Logic and BTC yesterday promised their financial backing to ensure the celebrations take place this year and next.Chewstick Foundation co-founder Najib Chentouf said he was “grateful” the issues were resolved.“It is unfortunate that these events have unfolded the way they did, but I trust that going forward we will work closer with the Department of Parks and the [Environment] Ministry to avoid these challenges.”Added the charity’s executive director Gavin (Djata) Smith: “We are deeply grateful to [Environment Minister Sylvan Richards] for his immediate response and to KeyTech for supporting not only this year’s event but fortifying their commitment to next year as well.”Mr Richards informed the organisers they had the go-ahead to hold the event, in a meeting at 12.30pm yesterday.“I just wanted to assure them that the permit that they were seeking was ready,” he said.The Department of Parks issued a press release moments earlier, stating that the charity hadn’t applied for a permit contrary to statements given to the media.Asked for clarification, Mr Richards replied: “I’m still looking into what was the disconnect between them saying that they applied for it and the Parks Department saying that they didn’t.“There’s always two sides to a story and then the truth is somewhere in the middle. While new in Government, I have found out that the key to getting things done is communication. Sometimes things just get lost in translation.“But I’m going to be more actively involved because I don’t want this to happen again.”Mr Richards said he was a longtime supporter of Chewstick and would be in attendance at the Good Friday celebrations at Horseshoe Bay.His Ministry would also provide assistance and guidance with regards to funding, he added.“I’ve made a commitment to working with Chewstick not only on KiteFest but also on BeachFest which has become a very important event on our calendar in conjunction with Cup Match,” said Mr Richards.“I want both of these events to happen, realising that it’s important for tourism and also for Bermuda.”The news of the granting of the permit was welcomed by Kim Swan, former leader of the United Bermuda Party, which started the event in the 1970s."It is gratifying to learn that the Environment Minister got involved and the event is now on again with the support of the new government this year as it did with former government last year,” Mr Swan said."Let our Good Friday and Easter celebrations throughout our country be safe and permeate a spirit of togetherness that brings our people closer together."