Downtown mas pumps

“Our judging normally starts at 8 am. We were prepared and the judges were in place, while guests were still coming in. I understand there was a collapse in the pavement on Ariapita Avenue causing one of Tribe trucks to go into the drain. We are checking into that incident.” City Mayor Joel Martinez told Newsday he was happy and excited to see the huge turn out of bands who crossed the stage downtown.

“I am happy to see the quality and quantity of masqueraders parading downtown, and the involvement with the people of the city enjoying the revelry of the masqueraders.” Martinez also sent condolences to the family and friends of the slain solider and police officer’s families who were killed in the line of duty.

“It is really unfortunate for someone to lose their life by trying to have a good time during the Carnival season. The TTPS has done some good work in apprehending and removing from the streets some serious weapons.” The first band to pass the judge’s stand was the Lost Tribe at 7.30 am, and was closely followed by two other large bands, Paparazzi and Trini Revellers.

With cups, rags and flags raised in the air masqueraders in their full costumes transformed downtown Port-of-Spain like a river, flowing and filled with colours of a rainbow. For the first time, radio personality Sunny Bling (Kerron Sealy) brought out a small section, “Have ah Time.” He said his band is all about displaying the true essence of Carnival which is the revelry of the masqueraders.

At about 11.15 am Mac Farlane Mas took the stage with Cazabon the Art of Living with his section the White Hall Affair. The section captivated the crowd’s attention as confetti were blown over the masqueraders.

Both President Anthony Carmona and his wife Rema Carmona were seen chipping through Mac Farlane’s band to the rhythm of MX Prime and the Ultimate Rejects’ “Full Extreme” song, “We Jammin Still.” Mac Farlane’s band was the largest band to pass through South Quay stage.

In the hot blazing sun, in between the large and medium bands traditional characters such as Fancy Indians, Sailors, Moko Jumbies, Dame Lorraine, Minstrel’s where among others also made their way across the stage.

As the bands continued to flow, spectators on the bleachers and those who lined the streets and corners of South Quay were also jamming as the music trucks passed by.