Masqueraders: Wine, Carmona, wine

The topic provided “fodder” for several ole mas characters in true J’ouvert style, as they addressed recent media reports of the Office of the President’s expenses including orders for wine with the Coat of Arms and jewellery.

“Wine Carmona Wine” and “Ah Presidential Wine” is how some masqueraders expressed their thoughts about the controversy which the President is due to officially make a statement on tomorrow.

There was also commentary on the US presidential race between billionaire Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, and seasoned politician, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democrats choice. The occasion proved that Trinidadians are truly the “happiest people on earth”, as they came out from as early as 4 am, less than 12 hours after the House of Representatives was in a “mess” with Opposition parliamentarians being ejected and others walking out as debate on the Tax Information Exchange Bill came to an abrupt end.

And although the Prime Minister called for the public holiday to be a day of prayer and thanksgiving, masqueraders gave praise the only way they know how, by chipping through the streets of Woodbrook to the sweet sounds of the national instrument.

People came out by the thousands to be a part of the ever growing event which saw Mayor of Portof- Spain Keron Valentine dancing among his burgesses.

The J’ouvert featured Ole Mas, Fancy Sailors, devils, mud mas, traditional native American Indians, and several well-dressed characters all dancing to the sound of pan.

Several people paraded in miniband sections and paraded with their favourite steel bands which went around the Queen’s Park Oval twice. The first time under the cover of darkness then the second time for the late-comers in the hot sun.

Their names included “Invasion of the Red Indian Disciples, “Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Bunnies”,” Hawaiian Dancers” and the usual red, blue and multi-coloured devils.