Tunapuna Carnival ends with a bang

TUNAPUNA Carnival 2004 celebrations ended with a bang this year with colour and Soca/Chutney wining. At 8 pm on Tuesday, the last band, “A Tribute to Carnival,” representing “Carnival is Colour and Colour is Carnival” crossed the stage ending what was a bright celebration for the town. The band, a presentation of GBM and Associates was designed by Bernadette Nanlal.

Then came the innovative annual Soca/Chutney wining competition which has grown considerably since its introduction five years ago. This year’s winner was nine-year-old Ameera Prince who won the three to nine age group, while Amelia Ribero won the 10 and over age group Chairman of the Tunapuna Carnival Committee, Bertram Goodridge, described this year’s event as fantastic. “We have had 30 junior bands from as far as Kelly Village and Sangre Grande, 15 Jouvert bands, eight steelbands and 15 large bands between Monday and Tuesday passing before the judges. This surpassed previous years and I am satisfied and can proudly say Carnival has returned to Tunapuna,” Goodridge said. The TCC chairman also promised that 2005 will be bigger with more innovations. The Upper El Dorado Road Village Council, for the second time running, won the Ole Mas competition with its portrayal — “Ole Time Days.”