Children play a mas

Although the show started about 45 minutes late, the officials kept bands moving so there was a swift flow, allowing for a few unregistered bands to cross the stage as well. A few bands simply walked on and off without really performing for the judges while Carnival Babie TT and Majestic Kidz performed choreographed dances for the judges and Maraval RC School performed a minstrel song.

There were many depictions of African mas, China and sea-related costumes that had very similar elements. However many of the individual costumes were interesting including the king from the band Boissiere Village Children, and miniature replicas of Tantan and Saga Boy from Kalifa Williams and Associates.

One of the bands that made the biggest impressions was Carnival Players Ltd with its presentation Sailing Down Memory Lane with Cito Geraldo, Austin, and Senior Gomez. The masqueraders were energetic as they crossed the stage, jumping us and wining in their fancy sailor costumes complete with sailor hats or headpieces and canes. The bright and colourful trimmings stood out against the mostly white base costumes and some headpieces included bees, fish, steel pans, butterflies, and dolphins.

The last section, which was a simple, green sailor costume, became the highlight as the audience noticed one girl lagging behind.

She was physically handicapped, slowly walking and winning her way across the stage with the aid of her crutches. She was obviously enjoying herself and the crowd loved it, giving her a round of applause as she left the stage.

Other presentations stood out because of the cuteness of the children in the costumes, the design or execution of the costumes, and their individuality.

These included Colour My World With by the mini band Rose Mary Perkins which showed the children dressed as crayons and paint tubes.

My Favourite Things by Kiddy Care Early Learning Centre had sections such as Popping Popcorn, Dandy Cotton Candy and Creamy Cupcake, the costumes which were colourful, imaginative and well put together.

Paramin RC School was one of the few bands that focussed on technology in their presentation App-ee Carnival. The costumes depicted digital games with sections such as Kandy Krush, Pharm Ville, Fruit Ninga, and Phlappy Bird, which was amused and impressed to those who actually knew the games.

Small band St Margaret’s Boys’ Anglican School also impressed with the presentation Reminiscence, a simple collection of traditional mas characters including Midnight Robber, Dame Lorraine, Minstrels and Clowns.

Mini band, Little Giant School of Arts, was the only band to include the traditional mas character, the moko jumbie, in their presentation Raving Colours. The audience gave them a round of applause as the masqueraders chipped, danced on one leg, or leaned back and wined on the high stilts.

The children also delighted onlookers along the streets as the parade began at South Quay with the masqueraders dancing up Frederick Street to the savannah.