Thousands of masqueraders flooded the streets of San Fernando yesterday making it the largest showing in recent years.
However, infrastructure for both spectators and masqueraders were lacking as the promised stage at the National Academy for the Performing Arts southern judging point failed to materialise and spectators had to sit and stand on hot pavements.
Twenty-nine modern, conventional and earth bands paraded themselves before the judges along the Rienzi Kirton Highway yesterday, with many of them sporting more masqueraders than 2014.
Councillor Robert Parris said many of the hiccups that occurred last year, which left more than 13 bands stranded without being judged, were ironed out this year. Parris oversaw the celebrations in the absence of mayor Kazim Hosein and deputy mayor Junia Regrello.
“From walking around, I noticed a lot of the bands were pretty big and there were a lot of people on the streets watching as well. From my estimation, it seems that J’Ouvert was bigger than last year, the quality of bands were better than last year and the bands flowed to the main judging point one after the other.”
“This is also in comparison to the lead-up to Carnival where some of the events held at Skinner Park were poorly attended. I don’t know why but the National Panorama finals for small and medium bands were poorly attended and Chutney Soca Monarch was also poorly attend. The only thing of great magnitude was Calypso Fiesta,” Parris said.
He launched the J’Ouvert celebrations around 5 am and The Hott Party began the show with their presentation of Ebola, which portrayed revellers having fun in Hazmat gear. The party really started ten minutes later when House of Jacqui and Shut Up and Wine showed off their presentation of We Cautious.
Some of the bands were lacking creativity, wearing simple T-shirts and shorts, but that could not be said for the D Image People’s presentation of Burlesques—a raunchy Carnival adaptation of the Las Vegas casino lifestyle. Royalty and Friend’s Salute De General portrayed an eye-teasing alteration of soldier and navy uniforms. Ballerz and Associates’ colourful theme of It’s Comical also created a stir with a portrayal of the Justice League Superheroes: Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.
Other portrayals included native Indians, African warriors and sailors.
KEVON FELMINE
Safe Carnival
Snr Supt Cecil Santana said the J’Ouvert celebrations was one of the safest in years gone by, with only one minor incident being dealt with by police. Police were embedded into some of the bands known to have fights and had a marked presence at Broadway—an area known for its annual Carnival fracas. “Things went as planned, we had nothing at all except one minor injury where a man got stabbed in his back. We had a lot of police outside on patrols, we had roadblocks and nothing materialised. We are not taking anything for granted, though. We will be on the ground for the next two days. “We have a large contingent of police officers and we have the place on lockdown. All officers came out to work,” Santana said. At 11.30 am, police stopped all music trucks, giving workers time to clean the streets before Monday afternoon mas began at 1.45 pm.