Senior Reporter
jensen.lavende@guardian.co.tt
There has been an increase in the number of bands participating in the Downtown Carnival, Port-of-Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne said yesterday.
“The response has been amazing. We saw an increase in registration both yesterday and today. I know yesterday we had about 73 groups that came through to the judging. Today is well over 100,” he said.
“We’ve been having a very successful event so far. The only issue that I’m aware of that we had yesterday as you know would have been a music truck that pulled down an electrical line. The fire services as well as T&T City Police responded immediately.
“They were able to treat with the issue so that the roadway was reopened. And here at the downtown everything has been running quite smoothly.”
Some of the children were seen struggling against the wind to put on their best show for the judges on South Quay. This also posed a challenge for some of the young masqueraders at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday.
Armed with cellphones and collapsable chairs, parents and spectators lined the parade route hoping to get the best vantage points.
On the Brian Lara Promenade, children who were not playing mas had their faces painted.
First-timer Zaria Rigues, 9, said playing mas was “great.” She said the best part of the experience was crossing the Savannah stage and she loved dancing to GBM Nutron and Farmer Nappy.
Another first-time masquerader, Jeniah Alexis, 10, said her favourite song was Yung Bredda’s The Greatest Bend Over. She said the music is what motivated her on the parade route.